Hey guys, I know that I haven't been posting at all, but I'm going to wait until I head back to NY to get back on schedule.
Until then!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Day 1
It's 9 pm and guess what? Still alive. I'm happy to report a successful first day on my cleansing trial. This morning, I woke up and had a great breakfast, (I'll remember to snap pictures tomorrow) consisting of a 2-egg omelet and a slice of Fiber One whole grain toast. I don't know what it is about omelets, but something about them tastes so fantastic, even plain. When I do add something, I put in any type of shredded cheese, ham or turkey, tomatoes, sometimes some veggies, or whatever sounds good that AM. The combination of high fiber toast and protein packed eggs was the best choice I could have made for my first day on the cleanse.
Come lunchtime, it was time to finally try my Vanilla Bean Lean Shake. I threw two scoops, a few ice cubes, and 8 ounces of water into a blender, and threw it down the hatch. The flavor was pretty good, but I wasn't crazy about the consistency. That being said, I knew I wanted it to be a little thicker. At 180 calories a serving, I also figured that it would be no big deal to add a few healthy ingredients to beef it up. For my dinner shake, I threw in about 3/4 of blueberries, and half a pack of Chobani yogurt in addition to the ice and water in the blender. That added about 140 calories, so I wasn't worried about that, especially since it was 140 calores of calcium, probiotics, and antioxidants. I let the shake sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes, and was delightfully surprised by the result. I got a creamy, smoothie like shake that had a thicker texture, and a fun variety of flavor.
I definitely got a little hungry today, so I ate 2 small plums (60 calories for both) just so that my body didn't go into starvation mode, and felt a big difference. I'm excited for tomorrow, and definitely hope the shakes are a success!
Come lunchtime, it was time to finally try my Vanilla Bean Lean Shake. I threw two scoops, a few ice cubes, and 8 ounces of water into a blender, and threw it down the hatch. The flavor was pretty good, but I wasn't crazy about the consistency. That being said, I knew I wanted it to be a little thicker. At 180 calories a serving, I also figured that it would be no big deal to add a few healthy ingredients to beef it up. For my dinner shake, I threw in about 3/4 of blueberries, and half a pack of Chobani yogurt in addition to the ice and water in the blender. That added about 140 calories, so I wasn't worried about that, especially since it was 140 calores of calcium, probiotics, and antioxidants. I let the shake sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes, and was delightfully surprised by the result. I got a creamy, smoothie like shake that had a thicker texture, and a fun variety of flavor.
I definitely got a little hungry today, so I ate 2 small plums (60 calories for both) just so that my body didn't go into starvation mode, and felt a big difference. I'm excited for tomorrow, and definitely hope the shakes are a success!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Nutritional Products and Summer Slimdowns
Hey dolls! I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but things have been pretty hectic and I wanted to be able to put full attention into my posts when I wrote them, so I'm back! Throughout the duration of June and July, I've maintained my weight and health *pretty* well, even after going home for a few months and being exposed to so many great foods and family get togethers. My family comes to me for a lot of health advice, and there's nobody else that I'd rather help but them, so I love being able to help out when I can.
My older sister has been struggling on the front of a healthy lifestyle, like so many people are, and talked to me about cleansing and detoxing. Personally, I know myself well, and I don't think I could get through a cleanse for 7 days. I would hate it, and starve, and that's not exactly how I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. That being said, why pass on that negative trend to someone else who wants to be exposed to great health and a better lifestyle?
I'm a big advocate for vitamin and supplements, because those little pills can go a long way. I never really go to health or supplement stores, solely for purposes of money, and me not having much of it as a student. So today I talked to my sister and suggested we go to GNC to look around and see if anything sparked our interests. We talked to the employees, read some products, and kept going back to the GNC Total Lean™ Lean Shake™.* My sister and I purchased one 16-serving container in the Vanilla Bean and plan on starting tomorrow. The shake is loaded with protein and fiber, so it keeps in the nutritional value during your diet. The product also includes a personal 2 week diet and exercise plan that is super great, and even though we are alternating it a little, I would absolutely try their 2 week recommendation. Our plan is to eat a sensible breakfast, around 250 calories, with whole grains and either Chobani* greek yogurt or two eggs, and replace lunch and dinner with a shake for each meal. Each serving is 180 calories, and you can blend it with ice to give it more of a shake feel and taste. We are doing this plan for 4 days and hope to get a fast, yet healthy and fulfilling jump start to a healthy diet lifestyle. I will blog every day and talk about our experience using this product, (which by the way, smells so good-can't wait to taste!)
I recommend that everyone go to a nutrition store and at least look around, I tried a few samples, and would easily buy what I tried, and so many other things in the store that I saw. One thing that shocked me were the prices, they were easily half the price of anything that I walked in expecting. A good surprise! Our shake mix was only $30 and there wasn't much else in the store that was over that price, so amazing. Go check it out!
As for me, check back tomorrow and I'll give you my first day details.
X
*No private endorsements
My older sister has been struggling on the front of a healthy lifestyle, like so many people are, and talked to me about cleansing and detoxing. Personally, I know myself well, and I don't think I could get through a cleanse for 7 days. I would hate it, and starve, and that's not exactly how I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. That being said, why pass on that negative trend to someone else who wants to be exposed to great health and a better lifestyle?
I'm a big advocate for vitamin and supplements, because those little pills can go a long way. I never really go to health or supplement stores, solely for purposes of money, and me not having much of it as a student. So today I talked to my sister and suggested we go to GNC to look around and see if anything sparked our interests. We talked to the employees, read some products, and kept going back to the GNC Total Lean™ Lean Shake™.* My sister and I purchased one 16-serving container in the Vanilla Bean and plan on starting tomorrow. The shake is loaded with protein and fiber, so it keeps in the nutritional value during your diet. The product also includes a personal 2 week diet and exercise plan that is super great, and even though we are alternating it a little, I would absolutely try their 2 week recommendation. Our plan is to eat a sensible breakfast, around 250 calories, with whole grains and either Chobani* greek yogurt or two eggs, and replace lunch and dinner with a shake for each meal. Each serving is 180 calories, and you can blend it with ice to give it more of a shake feel and taste. We are doing this plan for 4 days and hope to get a fast, yet healthy and fulfilling jump start to a healthy diet lifestyle. I will blog every day and talk about our experience using this product, (which by the way, smells so good-can't wait to taste!)
I recommend that everyone go to a nutrition store and at least look around, I tried a few samples, and would easily buy what I tried, and so many other things in the store that I saw. One thing that shocked me were the prices, they were easily half the price of anything that I walked in expecting. A good surprise! Our shake mix was only $30 and there wasn't much else in the store that was over that price, so amazing. Go check it out!
As for me, check back tomorrow and I'll give you my first day details.
X
*No private endorsements
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Heat + Encouragement = No Such Luck
At 5 pm today, I looked at the thermometer and it had GONE DOWN to 103. It's only June, right?! I guess that's what happens when you go south for the summertime - heat! Today I worked worked worked in the morning before the scorching numbers arrived, and completely chilled for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Totally needed.
One thing that I find myself constantly reminding myself, and also preaching to others is the importance of "spoiling your appetite". Sounds like your parent's worse nightmare, right? I am an avid Bethenny Frankel fan (http://www.bethenny.com/) and give her so much credit for my changed lifestyle. I've been a fan of Bethenny since The Apprentice, and only loved her more when she appeared on The Real Housewives (best show ever, who's with me?). Bethenny is also the author of incredible and inspiring books, such as Naturally Thin (http://www.bethenny.com/2010/05/08/naturally-thin/). Naturally Thin gives readers "rules" on how to live your life of eating, and through simple words and explanations, I have learned to incorporate them into my life every day, so easily. If I preach one rule the most, it's that you should never diet. Instead, change how you live your life, and how you eat day to day.
My next favorite rule is again, spoiling your appetite. The purpose of this rule emphasizes the importance of one of my favorite things: snacking. I believe the most common misconception of snacking is that it's "unnecessary calories", which is only true if you make it true. Snacking shouldn't be grabbing a 400 calorie candy bar because it's there and you want it, snacking should be eating a 100-200 calorie piece of food that supreses your appetite so that you aren't starving for your next meal and end of eating much more than you really needed to. By eating a filling, fiber filled snack, you will feel satisfied, and not so distracted by your hunger. Have a piece of toast with PB, or like me, have a big juicy apple. 100 calories of this will not only surprisingly fill you up, but you also won't have guilt about eating something wholesome and low-cal.
Another important aspect of this rule that Bethenny highlights is practicing it before you go out to eat. If you eat a healthy snack right before you go out to dinner, you're bound to eat less because of the food that's already sitting in your stomach. Saying no to the bread basket because you already are digesting will easily save you a couple hundred unnecessary calories. So start eating a snack when you feel like it, and treat it as a mini meal, not just a bottomless open bag of tortilla chips on your desk. Personally, when the weather gets this hot, I don't always eat a snack, and that's fine! Listen to your body, what it really wants, and you're on your road to success.
Quick personal update, today was a rest day. It was SO hot out, and I've been working hard lately. So I cleaned the house in the AM, painted the outside of the garage, and just relaxed. My rest workout was just a nice brisk walk out in the sun, about 3.5 to 4 miles. Nothing strenuous, but I always feel better for doing something like that then doing nothing at all. Breakfast was again fantastic, same as yesterday. Bran for Life toast with fried egg on top and a half grapefruit.
For lunch I had a small cup of leftover chicken noodle soup (yes, I can eat soup in any season!) seasoned with hot sauce and pepper, and I cut up an apple and spread a dollop of fat free vanilla yogurt over it. Such a refreshing flavorful lunch.
Snack between lunch and dinner, and post walk: Big Fuji apple, I know, I'm addicted.
Dinner: Fresh bed of lettuce topped with leftover pesto pasta, a few chunks of white chicken breast, cut up slices of cantaloupe, and a small handful of almonds. SO delicious. I love salads because I have such a love for fresh whole vegetables, and I love taking them all in from a colorful plate of whole food. I never use dressing on my salad, not so much because it's extra calories, but because I love taking in the veggie taste without it being covered up. If I do use something because it's too dry, I'll use a splash of lemon or extra virgin olive oil. it adds the moisture without taking away from the taste.
Going out to lunch tomorrow, my menu-adventures await ; )
One thing that I find myself constantly reminding myself, and also preaching to others is the importance of "spoiling your appetite". Sounds like your parent's worse nightmare, right? I am an avid Bethenny Frankel fan (http://www.bethenny.com/) and give her so much credit for my changed lifestyle. I've been a fan of Bethenny since The Apprentice, and only loved her more when she appeared on The Real Housewives (best show ever, who's with me?). Bethenny is also the author of incredible and inspiring books, such as Naturally Thin (http://www.bethenny.com/2010/05/08/naturally-thin/). Naturally Thin gives readers "rules" on how to live your life of eating, and through simple words and explanations, I have learned to incorporate them into my life every day, so easily. If I preach one rule the most, it's that you should never diet. Instead, change how you live your life, and how you eat day to day.
My next favorite rule is again, spoiling your appetite. The purpose of this rule emphasizes the importance of one of my favorite things: snacking. I believe the most common misconception of snacking is that it's "unnecessary calories", which is only true if you make it true. Snacking shouldn't be grabbing a 400 calorie candy bar because it's there and you want it, snacking should be eating a 100-200 calorie piece of food that supreses your appetite so that you aren't starving for your next meal and end of eating much more than you really needed to. By eating a filling, fiber filled snack, you will feel satisfied, and not so distracted by your hunger. Have a piece of toast with PB, or like me, have a big juicy apple. 100 calories of this will not only surprisingly fill you up, but you also won't have guilt about eating something wholesome and low-cal.
Another important aspect of this rule that Bethenny highlights is practicing it before you go out to eat. If you eat a healthy snack right before you go out to dinner, you're bound to eat less because of the food that's already sitting in your stomach. Saying no to the bread basket because you already are digesting will easily save you a couple hundred unnecessary calories. So start eating a snack when you feel like it, and treat it as a mini meal, not just a bottomless open bag of tortilla chips on your desk. Personally, when the weather gets this hot, I don't always eat a snack, and that's fine! Listen to your body, what it really wants, and you're on your road to success.
Quick personal update, today was a rest day. It was SO hot out, and I've been working hard lately. So I cleaned the house in the AM, painted the outside of the garage, and just relaxed. My rest workout was just a nice brisk walk out in the sun, about 3.5 to 4 miles. Nothing strenuous, but I always feel better for doing something like that then doing nothing at all. Breakfast was again fantastic, same as yesterday. Bran for Life toast with fried egg on top and a half grapefruit.
For lunch I had a small cup of leftover chicken noodle soup (yes, I can eat soup in any season!) seasoned with hot sauce and pepper, and I cut up an apple and spread a dollop of fat free vanilla yogurt over it. Such a refreshing flavorful lunch.
Snack between lunch and dinner, and post walk: Big Fuji apple, I know, I'm addicted.
Dinner: Fresh bed of lettuce topped with leftover pesto pasta, a few chunks of white chicken breast, cut up slices of cantaloupe, and a small handful of almonds. SO delicious. I love salads because I have such a love for fresh whole vegetables, and I love taking them all in from a colorful plate of whole food. I never use dressing on my salad, not so much because it's extra calories, but because I love taking in the veggie taste without it being covered up. If I do use something because it's too dry, I'll use a splash of lemon or extra virgin olive oil. it adds the moisture without taking away from the taste.
Going out to lunch tomorrow, my menu-adventures await ; )
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