Cindy

What a journey!  Super clean nutrient dense eating is a stretch of the mind, body and soul!  New self-talk to avoid the non-nutritive foods I sometimes choose, the body driven to preserve the stored fat, and the deepening awareness of what I am made of.  The scale says I have lost 7.5# to date.  What did I do to accomplish that?  Well, notably, I counted more steps throughout each day…parked further away, took the stairs more readily, rather than the elevator (even though my knees were crying a bit!), in addition,of course to my regular workouts of strength and cardio.  To help fill me up, I chose more beans and nuts…ahhh..those wonderful high fiber plant-based foods!  And, I was sure, to eat very frequently, even sometimes every 2 hours, rather than the normal 3.  This seems to be what has worked for me..how about you?

Here’s what this past week of activity has looked like:  Monday: circuit strength training on the TRX ropes, Tuesday: 30 minute strength/endurance spinning workout + knee therapy ex, Wednesday: circuit db strength training, 90 mins yoga, Thursday: knee therapy ex and 90 mins yoga, Friday: chest/hams strength training, Saturday: long 60 minute bike ride, Sunday: break.  And, of course, just making sure to add more steps to my day overall.  Sure feels good to be fit and strong!

This could be the hard part.  The initial rush is over, the toying with our minds in the second week is past, and now we just got to press on, and keep our eyes fixed on the goal.  What is your goal?  Think about it.  Take the steps to make it happen.  Keep your vision of what you want in the long run for yourself.  If you find yourself wanting to take the wrong turn in your nutrition or activity choices, JUST SAY NO!  Give yourself a little pep talk, and PRESS ON!  Everyone in the group who has reported to me has lost some scale weight!  That is awesome!

Here’s my sweet potato porridge:  In a crockpot, dump 2 cans diced tomatoes, about 5-6 parboiled and peeled (or not) sweet potatoes, a bunch of chopped kale, 1/2 bunch of cabbage, 1/2 onion, 1 heaping T of coconut oil, and about 1 c. unsweetened coconut milk.  Mash down the sweet potatoes part way.  Season with curry, black pepper, and others that you like.  Crock pot away on med-high for 1/2 day +.  Enjoy!  Oh, you can add your choice lean protein, i.e. canned salmon, tuna, chicken or turkey breast, etc.

Oh my goodness…I am sooo hungry these last few days!  Is it because I am up-ping the ‘ampee’ with my exercise and activity?  Is it because I am eating increased amount of fibrous foods and lean proteins, thus incinerating my internal fireplace?  Is my metabolism firing up?  Are my fat cells being depleted and crying to get filled back up?  (Fat cells don’t die, they shrink.)  In any event, today I chose to eat more calories, i.e., more quality calories.  Perhaps stabilizing for a few days on more calories, then dropping back down will quiet the hunger pains.  I’m going to give it a try.

Going into the second week of super clean eating and activity takes a bit more attention.  The initial thrust of enthusiasm fuels success in the first week.  Now, I’ve got to call  on something deeper inside myself.  Yesterday I heard a man say that you can’t be tempted by something you don’t think about, implying that the root of temptation is in the mind’s awareness.  So, I must become more aware of what I am thinking and how I respond to my thoughts.  There is a connection.  Think about it.