Sugar Detox - Day 12

I hate to get ahead of myself but I'm sensing a smooth final half of this 21 Day Sugar Detox!!

Things I'm noticing:

Sleeping better - I'm truly getting a deeper, more sound sleep. While I'm trying so hard to get the minimum 7-8 hours per night in, it's a constant struggle for me. That means asleep no later than 11:00 pm on a work night (alarm goes off at 6:00 am for work). Our evenings are usually jam-packed with activities that don't start until nearly 6:00 pm. So, by the time we get home to eat dinner, it's at least 7:00 pm. I need a few hours to unwind after doing some light housework - catch a show on TV - watch the news. I end up watching late night Jimmy Kimmel & falling asleep to that.


<gasp> I fall asleep to the TV!! Oh now! 

What else am I noticing?

Decreased cravings - While I noticed this very early on in my Paleo journey, it's especially prominent during this detox. I think I was more "mind over matter" when I started in the spring. But now, I'm truly not craving. I sat in a colleagues office discussing some project issues we were having & a big bowl of Hershey Kisses was sitting there - front & center. Now, I'd have grabbed one or two in the past. But, yesterday it just didn't look appealing.

40 x 40 Update

Another pound down!! I'm getting my tractor tire this weekend to do some outdoor workouts. Of course, just when I get it the forecast heats up to a humid week. I'm not a big outdoorsy kinda person so we'll see how long before I am able to get going with it. It'll be a slow start for sure!

I've been researching the C25K program ... The Couch to 5K running program for beginners. I'd love to be able to run a 5K - maybe more. Just haven't mustered up the courage to start yet. And, then there's my foot...

Plantar Fasciitis?

I pulled something at boot camp this week and am really struggling with the pain. It's in my left foot and the pain goes through the arch, near the inside of the foot from the ball of my foot to my heel. I'm really trying to stretch it out. I think it may be Plantar Fasciitis!! http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/exercises-to-reduce-plantar-fasciitis#

I found this video to help me with this stretching:

So, needless to say, I'll have to wait before going further with C25K program! Bummer... But, I don't want this to get any worse. Until then, I'll continue my swimming and other low impact exercises!!

THREE MORE POUNDS! THREE MORE POUNDS! THREE MORE POUNDS!

Target date for completion of the first 40 is: July 26th!!

Sugar Detox ~ Day 5

I survived the 4th of July!!

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Well, I'll admit: it wasn't all that flashy or tough of a day for me to work through on my detox. Wait - I shouldn't do that to myself. I was at home all day where temptation lurks and I made it! Woo hoo!

Since Friday ended up as a work day for hubs & me, we didn't have any parties to attend or throw like in previous years. So, other than the gazillion errands we had to run, we did take some time to relax & enjoy the day.

How's the detox going?

 

Great!! Thanks for asking... I am really glad I started this journey a few months ago vs. giving everything up "cold turkey" for the detox. No way would I be where I am today! (Haven't I said that already?)

Things I need to focus on in the coming days:
1) Stop looking at food blogs!! Everything looks so decadent!
2) Realize the impact this detox is having on my body & how good I feel
3) get MORE sleep! I'm really bad at this ... and what mother isn't?

NO Alcohol ... What to Drink?

I have a renewed fondness for cucumber water. There's a local spa that offers a glass of cucumber water before or after your treatment and I always forget how much I enjoyed it! Just peel your cukes (optional for some, I guess) and put into a big pitcher of water. The longer they sit, the stronger the taste. Very refreshing on a hot day!!  There's 2 small pitchers in my fridge right now. Even the kids are enjoying it which is nice since I'm trying to bust them of their juice requests.

Mix up your flavors: Lemon & Basil, Mint & Lime or Cucumber!

My other drink is my own version of a mojito: mix a few lime slices along with a mint leaf or two in the bottom of your cup. Add a generous heaping of ice. Pour in club soda. Ahhh - refreshing!

But, I do have to update you on 40 x 40!!

First & foremost, I hit my first (albeit private) goal today!!! I made it "below a number" which I swear I will never, ever, ever return to. Someday I'll reveal that number but I'm just not there yet. But, it's not a healthy weight anyone should be at!!

Weight seems to be flying off of me right now & while some people may argue that it's too fast, I know my body & believe it is simply how it is responding to these changes. I'm exercising in moderation, eating at least 2,000 calories a day (at least!). I think eliminating things like alcohol is what has really put me over the edge this time. In my first 3 weeks of Paleo in March, I dropped 12 pounds. I did so by cutting way back on alcohol (1 glass wine/week + maybe 1 beer/week) but I also eliminated grains then, too. I've gotten a little slackish on the alcohol (hey - it's summer!) so I think that's why my loss slowed down considerably. I looked back & had been in a slump for about a month.

This 21DSD is just what I needed to get things moving again!

That means I've made it to 90%!!!! Just four pounds left until I reach my 40 pound mark!! Give me a WOOT! WOOT!! (Thanks!)  Given how quickly weight is flying off my body right now, I'm predicting that in one week I'll have made the 40 mark!

That means it may be time to do a few things:
1) reset my goal
2) celebrate my success (spa visit!)
3) Measure myself this weekend & see the results in inches

BONUS RECIPE

Did I mention we made ribs on the 4th? Below is my rib rub recipe that I made up myself! It was great and sugar-free! The ribs were succulent and juicy. I started them in the crockpot on high for about 2-1/2 hours and then put them on a charcoal grill with mesquite chips to add some smokey flavor. WOW!! And, to make it even better: every one of us had leftovers for lunch today!!

I used boneless ribs & they were great - don't get me wrong. Next time, though: bone IN!

 

Barbecue Rib Rub

Can also be used on any pork cut or try on chicken.

Mix together the following:
1 T. Celtic Sea Salt (gotta be the good kind - high quality)
2 T. Garlic Powder
2-1/2 T. Paprika
1 tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp. ground mustard

Note: Check your spice labels & be sure they are PURE and not contain fillers or anti-caking agents!!

Mix all together in a bowl.You'll only use about 1/3 - 1/2 of this mixture so be sure not to cross-contaminate when rubbing on raw meat. And, put in a baggie or covered dish for use again!!

I placed all ribs in the crock pot on high for about 3 hours and then transferred them to the grill for about another 40 minutes.

Available through your Wildtree Independent Representative (aka: ME!)

The kids like saucy ribs (but I'm not a big sauce person) so they dipped theirs in some Wildtree Cactus Pete's BBQ Sauce  which you can get via my Wildtree website.



ENJOY!!









Now, off to see which of my girlfriends care to join me at the spa!! Have a great weekend!

Sugar Independence

Have you heard about the 21 Day Sugar Detox? NO? Really?

Are you like a gazillion other people in the US (OK, world!) who have sugar or carb cravings? What about massive dips in energy during the day? OK, how about fatigue, brain fog, trouble concentrating?

You could probably benefit from this brief program. Yes - brief! It's only 21 days. Everyone at work is like "how can you give up X?" and I just respond with "It's ONLY 3 weeks!" My goodness, not having a beer or soda for a couple of weeks is NOT going to kill me. Better yet, I'll be happier in the long run!!

Back when I was researching Paleo, I bought the cookbook "Practical Paleo" via Amazon, written by Diane Sanfillippo. I love this cookbook! And, I started following her on Facebook, too. Next thing I know, she's posting about a group working on the 21 day detox. Had to learn more!

Coming out in print this fall!!

I've put it off for various reasons since April. I have this going on, that coming up, this event ... whatever! I finally said ENOUGH & decided July 1st was as good as any to start. (New groups start the first Monday of the month but you can start at any time!)

Three levels are part of this program - they vary in the level of restrictions you have. Level 1 is the least restrictive while Level 3 is the most (pretty much squeaky clean Paleo). Now, for anyone considering doing this & not having already started cleaning up their eating habits (as I have for the last 4 months), you'd want to consider starting at Level 1. It's still intense: no refined carbs (white flour), only whole fat dairy, no processed oils, no fruits (read the info to learn why!!) and no alcohol. Level 3 goes a step further & eliminates the dairy, all grains, all beans, etc. I chose to do Level 3 as it most closely represents how I eat now.

Why Sugar Detox?

I guess I'd ask you: WHY NOT? Sugar is nasty ... I don't care what anyone says about having some in moderation. It's a drug. It alters the state of your mind. It changes your body physiologically. For some, it wreaks havoc on digestion, brain function, and/or weight.

When I started Paleo in March, I saw how quickly my body adapted to the absence of grains. How GREAT the feeling was to not get out of bed sore!! I knew I still let some sugar creep into my diet (we won't talk about my kids' diet, yet!) but had a thirst for more information about how food impacts my body.

Preparing for the Detox

My journey starts on a Monday which gave me the weekend immediately preceding to get started. Thought that was pretty awesome. However, I did it all wrong ... Went out drinking beer Friday night, ate terrible on Saturday and then proceeded to eat & drink on Sunday. I think I was so bloated come Monday AM that I could've floated to Timbuktu! Oh, and I ended up getting sick with a nasty upper respiratory virus & ear infection! Darn sugar...

I read this blog from a really great site I've been using for info & recipes called Primal Toad. The post was called 21 Tips: How to Complete the 21 Day Sugar Detox with Ease. This was pivotal for me as I hadn't really thought of WHY I was going to do to the detox aside from another kick-in-the-pants for my weight loss. (As if that wasn't enough reason?)

I planned out my menu for the week & did my typical Sunday grocery shopping followed by chopping, prepping & cooking what I could in advance. (Nice hot day to spend in the kitchen, too...grrr!)

Next step: DO IT!

Day 3 Check-In

Today is my Day #3 and I'm doing great! I have to say that it has been helpful that I started Paleo a few months ago. I think if I would've started Paleo by doing the detox, I would not be where I am today.

Oh, and my cold is nearly gone so I'm heading to boot camp tonight!

Last thing on my check-in: I'VE LOST ANOTHER 3 POUNDS!!

Happy Independence Day!! I'll be celebrating my independence from sugar this year!!

 

That means I'm now 33 POUNDS TOWARDS MY -40 GOAL!!

 

Give me a woot! woot!!

 

Three Month Check-In

Yes, I'm here ... Been working my arse off to continue to make progress. How am I doing you ask? Not too bad... Down 33 pounds as of today with just under 3 months left until my 40 x 40 goal. Will I make it? YES! Will I antie up on my goal here & change it? Probably! Let's first make the 40 mark and then re-assess.

So, what is it that I'm doing differently? How am I achieving this completely "do-able" speed of weight loss? By keeping it REAL! Just like you, I'm a busy gal ... I work full-time. I have kids. I have friends. I have a life. I need to keep my house in order. Blah blah blah blah blah BUT, I also have learned that it's imperative to make time for ME! And, with that comes --- ready for it .... can you handle it?