Everything's Bouquet

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Dear Blog I Missed You This Week



Yesterday I woke up and looked out my windows to see a southern winter wonderland.  The weather man promised more and more snow, but alas by this morning all we pretty much had was 2 1/2 inches of ice.  Not ideal for making snow angels or men.  But I was thrilled because everything was closed, and I remembered what I had brought home after my library trip the day before.
I have to give all you people who live in snowland all winter lots of credit, because this cold icy weather makes me want to stay in my jammies, drink hot cocoa with lots of whip cream and a a couple pirouettes, and read books all day long.  But then reality hit and I remembered these people, and how they might want some dinner after their all day Mario competition ended.

She is not really a person, but she never wants to be left out when the camera is out, or when the american cheese is opened. So I began to think that I could make all those people some dinner in my jammies with a book in my hand when I remembered what was waiting for me upstairs.
So I changed out of my jammies, into my workout clothes, and climbed the stairs.  51 minutes later I felt really good, inspired, and crazy.  I spent part of my elliptical time watching the Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred DVD, and thought it did not look too tough.  I have been working out I thought to myself...how bad can it be?  Jumping jacks tough?  Really?  So I called for my 17 year old daughter and we began level 1 together.
I will never make fun of jumping jacks again.  Oh the lunges.  Today my daughter and I are moaning together.    I mistakenly thought 51 minutes on my elliptical today would work out my sore legs...nope.  I am looking forward to doing this workout during February; once I can climb the stairs again.
On another note, I have been inspired by trainermomma.blogspot.com salads.  I have been eating one every day for lunch.  Yum.  She also has a really good recipe for White Chicken Chili that I made for the family last night.  It was so good one of my daughters was eating it for breakfast this morning.  Below is my salad from yesterday.

The crew is back in from playing in the ice.  I am off to make them some dinner.  I snapped a picture or two of the girls before they went out, but missed the boys.
Oh and I did stay strong: no hot cocoa, just hot tea! That may sound silly, but last winter hot cocoa helped me get where I am today.   I need to decide some goals for the month of February, and post them next week.  Anybody else have a winter indulgence they have to step away from?

Monday, January 25, 2010

Mixing it Up or Not


This weekend I had a ton of fun playing with my blog. It was like an afternoon rearranging my living room furniture without the backache. Well, my bottom did get a little sore. I was obsessed with trying different looks for my blog background and header. A few button pushes and voila a totally new looking blog. My husband pointed out to me more than once that a blog is really about the writing, but I was empowered by my new blogger layouting skills. It was magic, and good for a few laughs since some backgrounds never look anything like what you think they will. If anyone out there stopped by my blog they may have seen some strange combinations. I have to give my daughter Lizzie a lifetime supply of something (anybody know what 16 year olds want a lifetime supply of?) for her indulging me in my blog play. She voted and revoted and voted and revoted on my silly combinations and choices. In the end, my hubby was right and I ended up at square one. Back to the the way it was.

When I was not stuck to my chair designing my blog, I spent some time stuck to the couch reading some of the latest and greatest diet books. I love doing this. This time I started to feel like I was picking and choosing blog backgrounds and headers again. Some of the book's authors agree on some things and are completely opposite on others. Honestly, don't tell my brother but he was right when he said that I read too much. It can get very confusing, and trying to pick and choose and combine is making me a little crazy. I am going to finish the two books I am on this week because my brother is right, but I have a feeling I'll be back to the basics and square one when I get done. Anybody else out there get confused by all the theorys and plans for a healthy diet?

On a happy note: I finished my three week cleanse yesterday. It feels so good to accomplish a goal. I lost 15 1/2 pounds over the three weeks. My goal this week is to eat healthy, exercise, and let that quick loss turn into real weight loss. If I can end the month with that loss it will be a good month. On an observance of the unfairness of the world: my wonderful hubby announced today that he (while not doing the cleanse) also lost 9 pounds over the last three weeks.

What does my picture of Aidan in my beach hat have to do with this blog? Nothing except it makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you!
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Friday, January 22, 2010

An Amazing Mystery

I will never understand the amazing mystery of the manly metabolism.  After my mom got done telling her tale of stepping on and off the scale 2 times, then moving it into the light again for a 3rd time to see her magnificent 9 pound weight loss (see post before this one), she announced that without even trying Dad had lost 6 pounds himself.  Dad does not need even need to lose 6 pounds.  She thought this was funny.  Ya, ha.  So after I hung up the phone I ran back to my wonderful manly hubby and asked if he had lost any weight these last couple of weeks.  You guessed it.  He has lost 7 pounds.  This is a mystery to me.  I never no, no never, lose weight without trying.  On a more serious thought though, it made me think about how much my eating lifestyle affects my family.  I am still thinking about this;  it is something I hope to keep thinking about!

I cannot believe day 19 is almost over.  Just two more days of this Clean detox.  I did 51 minutes on the elliptical today, got all my water in, and ate correctly.  I am just at 14 1/2 pounds.  The weight loss is really slowing.  My books arrived today along with the 30 Day Shred DVD.  I hope to get some reading in this weekend!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

You Go Grandma!!!


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This is  my mom.  I am so proud of her.  She was curious about my book Clean by Alejandro Junger, so she asked for a copy for Christmas.  So along with the book, she unwrapped a juicer and a blender from underneath our Christmas Tree.  She went back to the frozen north excited and ready.  Well, I called her last Saturday to brag update her on my Clean detox progress.  She surprised me by informing me she was on day 11 of the program and had lost 9 pounds.  Surprise, surprise!  I am so proud of her for trying something so different and new.  She is 69, and had never juiced or made smoothies before in her life.  Now, as she says, she and her juicer are best friends.  She is really enjoying it, and learning methods of eating that she is going to continue after day 21.  So I guess I can't quit early now, or Grandma will show me up!

The week is flying.  Monday was my last post, which makes me realize I will not be able to post 5 times a week.  That was my original goal, but I want this blog/journal to be a help not a burden!  Also I don't know why this post is centering everything to the middle.  I have lots to learn in blogging world.  Anyway, I am surviving today ....DAY 18 of the Clean detox program.  3 oh 3 days left to go.  I feel good and have lost 14 pounds so far.  The only main side affect is I am so very tired.  That may be my issue though since I went to bed late last night.  I am missing my sauces, eggs, and cheese.  Anybody else tried any detox programs they like?
                                                                                                                                                                  

Monday, January 18, 2010

Detox Cleanse Day 15

Today I start week three of my cleanse.  I lost 3 1/2 pounds during week two, bringing my total loss to 13 pounds so far.  I feel great, and some of my clothes are fitting better.  I am glad this is the last week though.  Even though I hope to continue a lot of the ideas in the cleanse, I am missing my eggs and dairy.  So far I am exercising regularly.  Saturday and today I did 51 minutes on the elliptical.  I love to read, and today I ordered a few books to help me figure out my plan after the cleanse.  I ordered two by Jillian Michaels, and one by Jorge Cruise.  I also ordered Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  Anybody have any opinions on her workout?  I would love to hear them.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

A Day in the Life of Diet Momma versus Anti-Diet Momma

I was thinking about my life and comparing the months I spend living healthy and the many months I spend being what I call Vacation Momma.  So below is my comparison of my split personality disorder: Diet Momma vs. Vacation Momma.


Scale:  Healthy Momma: It calls me from the bed, and I arise quickly eager to check my progress.  Vacation Momma: What is that?  That is something children under 12 step on to brag about their weight gain.


Exercise:  Healthy Momma: Looking forward to the time alone to meditate, pray, think, dream, and plan.  Love the way my muscles support my body, feeling the air pushing through my lungs, and the endorphins that follow afterward.  Vacation momma:  Exercise?  That would be walking from the bedroom to the kitchen.


Breakfast:  Healthy Momma:  Healthy protein and fruit followed by my water and vitamins fill me up.  It feels good to eat well after exercising.  Vacation Momma:  After that long walk to the kitchen I need some comfort food.  Maybe a big old bagel, or 25 bowels of cereal.  I am not that thirsty, and who has time for vitamins?!


School:  Healthy Momma:  I bound up the stairs feeling those strong leg muscles working.  I greet my kiddos happily, ready to sing the ABC's and compute division facts.  Vacation Momma:  Due to the carb crash from the 25 bowls of cereal, I cannot hardly climb the dreaded stairs.  I am ready for a morning nap when I hit my desk, and the 25 letters of the alphabet and multiplication facts make me cross-eyed and grouchy.


Lunch:  Healthy Momma:  After a great morning of quality time with my kiddos, I am ready for some lean protein and healthy veggies.  Vacation Momma:  Barely surviving school, I stumble downstairs to reward myself with unhealthy carbs followed by an unhealthy carb laden dessert.


Afternoon:  Healthy Momma:  Feeling strong, I grab some sunshine on a light walk with my kiddos.  I throw in a load of laundry, pick up the kitchen area, and maybe even organize something.  Vacation Momma:  Carb crashing nightmare: Why oh why don't I have more energy?  I wonder why I cannot get anything done as I chillaxe in front of my computer.


Shower:  Healthy Momma:  I love getting cleaned up for my hubby.  I look forward to picking something cute out of my closet to wear.  Vacation Momma:  This is my daily nightmare.  I hate my clothes, and I hate even more the way they look on me.  Trying to hide 40 plus pounds is an impossible and depressing task.


4 O'Clock or Temptation Alley:  Healthy Momma:  This is my munchy time of day, but I munch on carrots while I fix dinner.  Vacation Momma:  Discouraged from my closet, I head to the kitchen rummaging through the pantry for a snack.  My older girls are home from school snacking after they walked miles in fresh air all day, and I join them because that walk from the shower to the kitchen is a long one.  It is time to fix dinner, and I taste and nibble while cooking.


Dinner:  Healthy Momma:  Hungry, I have a reasonable serving of everything while I concentrate on and enjoy my family.  I love my family all around the table together.  Vacation Momma:  Full already,  I tell myself I should still eat with my family.  Oh, I cannot forget that I also feel the need to help my 5 year old finish his too.


Evening:  Healthy Momma:  Ah, a good day.  I grab my hubby and we head out for a light walk escorted by ninjas on bikes.    Vacation Momma:  Exhausted I sit in front of the T.V. with a snack in my hand.  Can someone get that phone please?  I am too tired to move.


Bedtime:  Healthy Momma:  The slight hunger pain reminds me that I met my goals today, and I feel confident, happy, peaceful, and looking forward to tomorrow!  Vacation Momma:  Full, bloated, frustrated, and discouraged I am NOT looking forward to tomorrow.  Why can't I get my act together runs through my mind as I fall asleep.




Upon review it would appear that I know slightly more about Vacation Momma.  I am pleading the fifth.  Seriously, the million dollar question is: Why oh why do I choose lazy Vacation Momma more than Healthy Momma?  Oh there have been streaks of Healthy Momma bringing with them 20 pound losses.  Those are always followed by longer streaks of Vacation Momma  bringing back the 20 pounds plus bonuses. I know better than to be prideful, and really do not have anything to be prideful about, but I am hoping, praying, and blogging that my Healthy Momma is here to stay.  Not that the beach and ocean waves aren't in my future, but Vacation Momma will be packing her tennis shoes!!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Weight Dates & Detox Cleanse Day 12

I remember lots of details about all those important life events.  Most importantly I almost always remember what weight and size I was during those events.  It does help having seven children.  I can remember how long it took to lose the weight after each birth, and what new game  diet I did to accomplish it.  Five and a half years ago I had my last baby boy the day before I turned 40. Before the delivery, my mom had appeared like an ominous disney character announcing that her mother NEVER lost her baby weight after her last delivery at 40.  Her mother was  a very squeezable Grandma for sure.  I told her I knew what to do; little did I know what life was like after 40.  40 + losing weight = disaster.  Something snapped in my forties, and I just could not get my act together; at least not for more than three months at a time.  I probably lost and gained the same 20 pounds at least 3 or 4 times in the last 5 years.

Back to the dates.  I could list all my ages and events and the weights to go with them.  Always in the back of my mind is the WEDDING WEIGHT.  Oh the wedding weight.  It is actually what I weighed for most of my twenties, but I call it the wedding weight.  You know....I'd like to lose this or that amount, and maybe even get to my WW.  Or after that baby I was within ten pounds of the WW  before I got pregnant with the next baby.  Well, no shocker, I am far far away from the WW right now.  Even now I hope that I will not only get into a safe BMI zone, but that I may continue all the way down to the wonderful WW.  My delusional dream even includes trying on the old wedding dress again for fun.  The one my hip bones stuck out of.  The lovely 1980's dress below that is presently boxed in my closet.

ev

Back in the day when I was at the WW level I weighed between 115 lbs. to 120 lbs.  Unlike some of my friends whose weight never moved, I always fluctuated 5 pounds.  Maybe that was a sign back then that I was going to be writing a diet blog someday.  At five foot four and one half inches that was a nice healthy weight for my frame.  Since I have shrunk an inch I know that would be an ideal size for me now.  So, it is still my ideal goal, but I'll be happy to be within twenty pounds of the magical WW for a reality check.

Anybody else have an ideal weight they like or remember?  Is it a realistic one?  And one more question; to blog a weekly weigh in or a monthly one?  Anybody have an opinion on that?  I have seen both, and I am trying to decide on a sidebar update with weekly or monthly.  I am leaning toward monthly, but am afraid that I will get too lazy and decide to take a week off if I don't have to post weekly.  Still thinking about this one!

Day 12 of my detox cleanse and I am feeling great.  Today I was a little tired of the same food ( drink for breakfast and dinner, and clean food for lunch).  I was really missing eggs and dairy/cheese.  I am over half-way though.  I am still at an eleven pound loss.  I did this same cleanse back in September and lost 15 pounds, so I am guessing that is what I will lose this time.  I did 46 minutes on the eliptical yesterday and today.  I know I really need to add weights and exercises.  Maybe next week or when the cleanse is over.   I really do like this cleanse program.  I am thinking maybe three a year spaced around 4 months apart might be a good habit for me.  So today was successful; I followed all my goals including water intake.  Two more days and I enter the final week three!  Yea!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haiti

Today I am praying for Haiti.  Today I watched the President's speech on what America is going to do to help.  I am so thankful and grateful that my country can help.  I cried over the people and their situation, over the needs, over the fact that we can help.  As our President said, "But for the grace of God...".   My heart is really sad for those people, and I am praying for them.  It is also so encouraging to see the people helping.  The Pioneer Woman is donating a very generous giveaway, and I know there are many others doing the same.   Thank you Dear Jesus for the people giving, going, helping, and praying.  Please Jesus help the people in Haiti.  Help them to find any people still buried under rubble. Please heal the people injured and hurting.  Help the families reunite.  Help them find shelter.  Help them rebuild.  I don't know how to pray really, but You know what is needed.  Please give grace and meet the needs.  Show me how I can help.  Thank you Dear Jesus.
You are our refuge...Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

All in the Family & Detox Day 10



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My Favorite People  

I love these beautiful people.  They are my favorite in all the world.  I cannot even add up the hours of morning sickness, labor, diaper changes, or amount of Easter, Halloween, and birthday candy I have stolen borrowed from each of them.  I belive in the Mom tax and I have hips to prove it.  I would not want to be with anyone else more than these fun, unpredictable, and crazy people (and that is a good thing considering the amount of hours I do spend with them), except maybe the handsome guy below...the guy who helped me make all my favorite people possible.

This handsome man, a couple of beach chairs, and the ocean to go with them and I could sacrifice a few days away from those other favorite people.  Seriously, I love this wonderul man; the best father I have ever known,  makes me laugh, turns my dreams into reality, and never no never mentions my ever changing size.  I love you Mr. Handsome Dreammaker.....FOREVER.  Ah and he is the only follower of my blog....my cheerleader.                                                                                                                                                      My favorite people are all on this journey with me.  I am soooo blessed!  Why wouldn't I get my act together and be the best I can be for them!  I hope to be around a long time to walk down those wedding aisles, change those grandbaby diapers, and argue about my past parenting skills.                                                           Day 10 of my Cleanse.  Wow, I am almost half way done in my 21 day program.  10 pounds gone.  Yea!  Except for being tired, I feel great.  So far I have followed the food part completely.  Yesterday I hit the eliptical for 66 minutes while I watched American Idol.  This morning I was on it for 46 minutes.  With all that exercise I am not having any problems getting in my water.  Oh and the vitamen regime...that requires a lot of water intake alone!  I am starting to think abut life after the cleanse...decisions to make!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Denial

I need a big shot of reality.  One that will stay with me through the hormones, child tantrums, celebrations, bad days, and good days of well...the rest of my life.  I looked at the pictures of me taken on New Year's Eve 2009.  Wow.  That should be helpful in my need for reality.  I just don't see myself the way I really am.  Of course it helps when I refuse to glance at myself in the shopping mirrors, don't let my family photograph me, and wear comfy clothes all winter.  Denial.  My middle name.  No more.  I have several reality checks, and I need to use them permanently.  Reality checks for permanent use:  scale, tape measure, clothing with a zipper not a string, photographs, desire to be photographed, and consistency of exercise.  These are just a few that seem to disappear the minute my diet starts going down hill.  I say good-bye to them with lots of excuses. This time when the time comes (and it always does), I need to stay in reality and say good-by to the excuses.  It is not tomorrow anymore...it is today forever!  So big step for me: I am posting the New Year's Eve pictures of me.  These were taken 4 days before I started my cleanse. 










Hokay,  those pictures are painful really.  BUT they are my before photos (never mind I am still in before presently).  I hope to compare them to some much better ones in eight months or less.  They are my TODAY pictures.  Today I will make the right choices...TODAY.


On another note.  I spent the weekend reading some Caringbridge Journals of a sweet lady who died of cervical cancer two years ago.  She was only 28 and left behind a husband, two year old daughter, and lots of other family and friends.  Her story is amazing, and she is leaving a legacy behind her.  It inspired me in many ways...but one was to do the best I can do in all areas including this health journey.  


Today I started week 2 of the detoxing cleanse.  I did great over the weekend.  Saturday I followed all my requirements including bumping my eliptical up to a whopping 42 minutes.  I was rewarded this morning with a 9 1/2 pound loss for the first week.  I know this is not regular weight loss, and when I am not cleansing the losing will take much longer, BUT it is a very nice jump start to encourage me.  It is not all water, because even the sweater in the pictures above was fitting much better today.  Yea!


So onto week 2.  Did great today and kept my eliptical at 42 minutes.  I am also enjoying cooking for my family.  Weird I know.  It is part of the organized, making good choices package I guess.  This cleanse is teaching me to cook without eating...something I had forgotten how to do.  I was eating before, during, and after the meal when I was creating in the kitchen.  It is also shrinking my stomach.  I really get very full on just a little amount now.  It is also giving me confidence.  Confidence that I can set a goal and accomplish it.  Let me change that saying up a little and say...Nothing tastes as good as confidence feels.  


Anybody else have any remedies for living in denial?

Friday, January 8, 2010

Sleepy Detox Cleanse

Day 5 of the Detox Cleanse and today I woke up with just a 1/2 pound weight loss.  That brought the prior 4 day total to -7 and 1/2 pounds.  Not bad.  I know the weight loss will start slowing.  I am feeling so much better overall.  My headache is gone and I am not as hungry.  The metal munchies were gone today.  I am however extremely sleepy.  I feel like I could sit down and take a nap at any moment.  Part of the problem might be the really cold temperatures we are having right now.  Anywho, I am not trying to fight it.  Going with the flow and relaxing in a big comfy sweatshirt of my hubbys.  So I'm off to relax some more and enjoy this frosty Friday evening.        Fridays reacap: followed the complete program completely.  34 minutes on the eliptical, over 64 oz of water, ate my 2 smoothies and healthy lunch of chicken and rice, and brought my study down to start tomorrow.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Surviving Day 4

Popcorn Factory Large size three-way tin.  That is my survivor tip for today.  One arrived at our front door via UPS Yesterday.  It is my new strategy for keeping my children happy and snack fulfilled without me working in the kitchen or around food.  It was working fantastically until my creative cooking daughter decided to make yum yum bars tonight.  Oh the kitchen smells delicious right now.

Survival of the detox cleanse has been a little tougher today.  I feel great, but hungry and struggling with mental munchy syndrome.  The syndrome is making me a little grouchier also.  But I am determined.  Okay, as I typed that Peter just informed me the hot yum yum bars are done and taste like vanilla pudding...as he stuck one under my nose to observe.  I am still determined that no yum yum bars are gonna come between me and my Little Rose Jacket. NO! NO! NO!  As they say...nothing tastes as good as wearing the Little Rose Jacket Feels right?

My older children were out of school today due to a dangerous light snow dusting that we got overnight.  It is the south.  So there was no mound of snow gear to wash (thank goodness), but the temperatures are really chilly and so are my detox smoothies.  I cannot say enough that I really like the cold smoothies better in warmer weather.  Soon I will try one of the soup recipes in the book.  Even most of those are meant to be eaten cold however...sigh.

Day 4 recap:

Yes on all the basic goals! Yea!  I even started thinking about a little yoga, Zumba class, or adding some weight training soon.  Oh I forgot to say I was down 1 more pound to a total of 7 pounds so far.   I am hoping I wake up without the munchy syndrome tomorrow.  It makes for a slightly tougher, more frustrating, and grouchier day.  My family probably hopes I wake up without it too!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Happy Camper on Day 3

Yea for day 3.  My headache is gone and I feel really good.  Of course it always helps when the scale is down 2 1/2 pounds in the morning.  That makes for a wonderful 6 pounds in just the first two days.  I know, I know it is just water, but that is still 6 pounds of water that my only 5 foot 3 1/2 inches is carrying.

I hope to eventually get some pictures up, and list my favorite blogs.  It is because of my favorite blogs that I am blogging this year...thank you favorite blogs...you know who you are.

We are awaiting a big snowfall.  Number 3 daughter even has a fellow 14 year old friend spending the night  (on a school night no less) in certain hopes and dreams that the big one is coming.  Snow makes for sooo much mess with 7 children, that I am thankful I don't live in the north.  The north I grew up in, climbed snow mountains (drifts made by snowplows), went on winter weekends full of sledding and tubing, and took Easter pictures next to snow drifts on the back patio.  So I guess maybe I had my quota of snow....too bad for my 7  snow deprived children...they will have to move north someday to make up for it.  Then they can visit their mama in the south to get warm.

Speaking of snow and winter.  I confess for the first time in 21 years of marriage I left my Christmas decorations up past the weekend after New Years.  I just didn't want to part with them.  I thought I really had something going;;  all the pretty lights to enjoy on the cold dark nights without the Christmas pressure.  It was delightful until today.  It hit me today that the decorations gotta go.  So, hopefully after the blizzard hits and I finish the 452 loads of wet snowsuit laundry, I can get the decorations down by this weekend.

Today has been a very good day.  Teaching my 5 year old to read was really fun.  He must be destined to teach because he is now instructing me daily in new ways to play our phonics games.  Come to think of it, my 10 year old Peter was quizzing me on blue whales, with the grand prize being a big kiss.  I only made it to the regular prize of a hug however...better luck next time!

Day 3 recap:

Drank way more than 64 oz of water with lemon.
Ate exactly the cleanse detox plan.  Tried a new recipe for chicken in the book.
Elipticalized for 34 minutes.
Need to get back to my Revelation study tomorrow;  in between handing out snow coats and hot chocolate.

I am off to pick up children, milk, and movies.  I really want to watch a scary movie.  What is that all about?  Is there a connection between scary movies and detoxing? Looking forward to the scale in the morning!  That is something that did not happen during December!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

January Detox: A Love Hate Relationship

DAY 2 of the January Detox Cleanse and it is going really well overall.

What I love about my January Detox:

1.  Already my skin looks better and my eyes look whiter.
2.  I lost 3 1/2 pounds after the first day.  I know that is water weight; that is how bloated I was.
3.  I slept sooo much better last night.
4.  It feels so good to stick to a plan.  It feels great to know that I accomplished the daily goal, and it feels good
     knowing that I am doing something healthy for my body.
5.  I enjoy making the smoothies, juicing, and exploring new foods.
6.  Exercise makes me so happy when I am done.  I really don't understand why I usually dread it.


What I hate about my January Detox.

1.  It is abnormally cold.  We are supposed to get snow tomorrow night, and I live in the land of rare snow.
     My outside dog is sleeping inside around the clock due to the freezing temperatures.  Smoothie drinking is
     not very comforting or warm.  I was enjoying the smells of the winter comfort food I made my family :
     mashed taters and meatloaf.  My green juice did not seem quite as comforting for January.  So I think I      
     like detoxing better in warmer weather.
2.  Headache, headache, and big gigantic headache.  Today I had a horrible headache.  I do not remember
     that happening when I did the same detox cleanse in September for three weeks.  I think the sugar over-
     load from December made my system more shocked.  I should have done the elimination diet for a week
     first.

I guess overall I love my cleanse more than I hate it.  It feels wonderful to have 2 successful days behind me!

Recap of today:
34 minutes on my eliptical
drank over 64 oz of water
ate only according to cleanse plan ( had to share my green juice with my 10 year old son, so I guess it is pretty good!)
keeping up progress on my LRJ blog

Looking forward to day 3!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Big Hopes and Dreams

"This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24  This is the verse I have posted in my kitchen eating area.  I put it there thinking my family and I would see it each morning as our day was beginning.  I guess I usually think of this verse as a morning verse, but tonight I am praising God and rejoicing in the day He made today behind me.  A day of success, love and happiness.  A good day.  I started the day, MONDAY, JANUARY THE FOURTH, a day I had been looking forward to and dreading the entire partying gluttonous month of December, with an extremely wide range of emotions.  Couldn't have been any wider....ready to start the new journey...not ready...hopeful...who am I kidding discouraged.  Maybe this wide range of emotions is really just the definition of a 45 year old female.  I decided to erase the emotions and make the right choice.  It is all about choices.  I drank my lemon water and did my 34 minutes on my elliptical.  Followed it with my cleanse smoothie, cleanse lunch, family Christmas time at my in-laws, swimsuit shopping with my girlies, and a cleanse smoothie for dinner.  I did it.  One day of healthy eating and living. The human body is so forgiving...I feel better already.  Some of my water retention is already gone.

There is a small voice in my head already saying that one day isn't gonna cut it.  It is gonna take a lot of days...like forever if I think all the way to goal and life maintenance.  But I am determined to not let that voice rain on my parade today.  I am thanking and praising God for my good day He made.  He is faithful.

I can't think too far.  August 6 is my date with my LITTLE ROSE JACKET.  Hopefully I will need to tweek, change, and challenge my getting healthy routine lots between now and then.  So for now I will just set goals for January.  Monthly goals might be a good idea.
GOALS FOR JANUARY
Blog my progress at least 5 times per week
Study my Bible at least 5 times per week
Eat the cleanse food plan in the Clean book by Alejandro Junger, M.D. for 21 days starting today.
Exercise 4 times or more per week.
Drink 64 oz or more of water each day.
Weekly blog update on pounds lost.  Monthly total at the end of each month.

It is rewarding to make the right choices.  Thank you God for helping me and for giving me today!

Monday recap:  Followed cleanse program to a tee, 34 minutes of eliptical, 72 plus oz of water.