Gettin' Serious!

[Suerra]

Well, I've not had a Forum journal ever before, and this week I'm cracking the whip to get myself into better shape, so I figured this would be a great time to start!

I'm going to be following Fat Flush Phase 3 with no grains and only 2 veggie carbs per week maximum (only on days I need extra energy for workouts). I've done the SS and FFP before, and I'd say 80% of my dietary choices for the last 2 years have been based on Phase 3. I was very successful with the other phases, but after all my researching and personal experience, I think my body needs the addition of healthy fats like avocado and coconut oil. I have a lot of inflammation in my body, and hopefully cutting out any grain product (yes going grain and gluten free), along with ample essential fatty acids will help stop the inflammatory process.

I would like to slim down a bit, but nothing drastic, and work on my fitness at the same time. I think P3 will give me the energy and nourishment that I need to work out a little every day without being too much food to lose weight.

My challenges are:
1) Going grocery shopping. I'm really lazy about this.
2) Preparing a breakfast, lunch and snacks to bring to work with me every day
3) Peer pressure from my roommate who is addicted to pasta and sugar

#3 Won't be too bad- sometimes it's actually nice to have an example of what not to do!!

I've already started incorporating more fitness into my schedule- it's just time to make it a priority! I don't like routines, because they get boring. What I do like is going for evening bike rides, walking down to the lake, playing badminton in my back yard, and doing yoga before I tuck into bed. I think if I can do one of those things or something similar everyday that I'll be off to a great start. Everything will evolve as my body does!

Well, thanks for reading. PM me if you have any questions about how to make FF work for your lifestyle and goals!!

[Suerra]

Well, just had lunch It was sooo yummy- left over steak sliced really thinly, sauteed with mushroom, zucchini, tomato, and garlic! I brought so much food with me to work today, it's better to be overprepared than under I suppose!
I feel totally satisfied, if a little tired, today. I had a slight headache this morning that I will attribute to detox. I feel great now, except I'd really like to curl up on the couch and take a nap!
I did some yoga and stretching last night- very casually. I need to pick it up a bit in that department!!
Well, for dinner tonight I'm thinking ground bison sauteed with some stir fry veggies and a salad! I still have two eggs to eat today, oh my! haha. We'll see if I have room for everything...

[Suerra]

Well, I'm really proud of myself thus far. I brought a healthy lunch to work with me every day last week, and I didn't deviate! (during the day) LOL.
Actually- it's no laughing matter. Like the title of my journal, I really should be getting serious rather than brushing things off like I normally do. I don't want to stress about losing weight, by any means, but I do need to be serious about what I put into my body.

The main challenge I've noticed so far is that I need to have more easy grab foods to replace the grains that I would have grabbed before. I think maybe a pot of soup would be a good idea... just something I can open up the fridge or the cupboard and take a bite of before I go on my bike ride. Normally fruit would be a good option, but I have my one fruit in my smoothie every morning.

Overall, I've already made some great progress. Last week I created some new healthy habits and broke some old unhealthy habits. I've identified some of my weaknesses and have ideas of how to deal with them. Now I'm about 99% recovered from my back surgery, so I've been working up to and hope to return to my normal yoga program today. I did sprints on my bike and mowed the lawn yesterday- better believe, that is quite a work out with my old-fashioned push mower (no engine!).

Today I've had a 2 smoothies, each with only 5 cherries lol, and a yummy mixed green and herb salad with 2 soft boiled eggs. With the runny egg yolk tossed into the salad, I hardly needed any of my dressing at all! Tonight I'm thinking ground bison with zucchini ribbons! I. Love. Buffalo. Ha!

[Suerra]

Okay... I remembered ALG's idea about eating a sour pickle to stave off cravings.... it totally works! THAT will be my grabby snack when I get home from work

I made ended up making a delish buffalo burger patty last night, with tomato and avocado. I was starving when I got home from my 3 hour bike cruise, but after eating that dang sour pickle, I was able to let the burger thaw in peace while I did about half hour of yoga/stretching/abs/pushups/squats.

I've been really good about drinking a couple glasses of cranwater every day, and even adding chia seeds to my morning smoothie. I'm starting to feel the benefits- my true energy level has been restored! I love how I feel after just a couple days of eating right and exercising. I had honestly been a little worried, after I asked my mom to be honest and she said, "I think you would be a lot happier if you lost a little weight..." Today, however, I feel good in my body again, and ready to set the pace to meet my weight and fitness goals.

I'm off to lunch- mixed greens with a small buffalo patty!

[Suerra]

It's been a while since I've checked in! Last week I went on vacation to the Oregon Coast- it was beautiful and quite a memorable trip! It did present some challenges in the way of my normal eating patterns though. We were trying to go as 'dutch' as possible, so I made energy bars with gluten free oats, chia, flax, and sesame seeds, dried cherries and blueberries, and yes... chocolate chips. They did an amazing job keeping us full, but the oats gave me a puffy tummy. We snacked on snap peas and hummus while driving, and had an apple every other day.
Only ate out twice, but both meals included heavy cream and some sort of breading, lol. I came home feeling completely worn out, and bloated! But just two days back on Fat Flush and I felt like my normal self again
I'm trying to cut the banana out of my routine- I think that will help a lot with losing weight! Duh... bc bananas are not a part of the Fat Flush Plan, lol. So I'm replacing with cherries, for now... hopefully move on to raspberries and maybe blackberries soon.
I've been really good with my supplements, too! And exercise is paying off- I love it. My abs are becoming more defined and my butt is perking up from all the bike riding
Off to lunch! Today is chicken salad on mixed green!

[Suerra]

So, I have successfully weaned off of banana! I think it's making a difference already My morning smoothies are now made with cherries or blueberries- and it's great!
I shopped around the Farmer's Market last night and got some great ingredients for dinner. I had the BEST green lettuce, snap peas, 1 young carrot and herbed goat cheese mixed into a salad and topped with my homemade dressing:
1 part apple cider vinegar
2 parts sesame oil
1 part olive oil
dash of salt, cayenne, cumin, and ginger
fresh chives from the garden
fresh minced garlic to taste
and just a touch of honey for sweetness
I mixed it all up and topped with steak that my man grilled up! See- even a man, who happens to be a chef, can be satisfied by a Fat Flush Approved meal! We were both pleasantly full from our dinner.
All my biking is definitely paying off! Yesterday I wore some swim suit bottoms that I haven't worn in 3 years bc of my jiggly bottom and lovely handles... but now they fit perfecto!
I've been slacking on push ups and sit ups, but in all fairness it's been over 90 degrees for a week, and I did move 3 tons of hay twice last weekend! So I think my muscles needed some recovery time anyways.
Tonight I'll be having another salad, and i'm thinking of bbq chicken... I need to remember to ask our Meal Planning Maven how she does a Fat Flush Friendly bbq seasoning!

[Suerra]

So, I just did a raw milk fast from Sunday night until about an hour ago. I always feel great during the fast, but I crave fresh greens sooo badly! It's odd. I broke it with a chicken caesar salad that was to die for, but now I'm a tad over full. I'll probably just have milk for dinner I've been taking the Y-C Cleanse since Sunday in hopes of clearing my body of Candida. I've never done a full blown cleanse before, so I'm excited to see how I feel afterwards! Right now I have a bit of a head ache and sort of low energy, but I feel better the more hydrated I stay.
So... no fruit, no cheese, no alcohol, and no bread (obviously) for the rest of the week, and then as long as I can handle it!