Day 3 of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Wednesday

I was a little tired this morning when I woke up, but it was mainly due to interrupted sleep. My husband does extra hours sometimes, coming home around 1 am. I'm usually able to sleep through him getting in bed, but this time I wasn't. I also spent way too much time on the computer before going to bed, which can also disrupt sleep. The computer time left my thoughts whizzing for an hour or more, before I was able to finally go to sleep. I do feel, however, still feel refreshed this morning, even if I am tired!

My refreshed feeling lasted through breakfast (scrambled eggs, steamed spinach, and toast), and a little while after, until I saw what I would be having for lunch and dinner: lentils and Nori rolls. I was willing to try both, for the sake that they'd be good for my body, but when lunchtime came, I hadn't planned out the production of the lentil-lime salad very well! When I read through the recipe, I realized that it was going to take 2 hours for the salad to marinate before I could eat it. Fortunately, the Reset allows flexibility between the week's meals, so I scoped out some other the other meals. I saw that the quinoa salad would take a few hours to marinate, as well, so it was nice to know for the future! Fortunately, I'd already had the Greek salad, so I knew I'd be able to throw it together fairly easily with the remaining salmon from Day 1.

After eating, I got the lentil-lime salad ready for the following day. Then, for dinner, I ended up swapping out the Nori rolls with stir-fried veggies. The stir-fried veggies were delicious cooked in sesame and coconut oil! The coconut oil left my lips feeling soft. The Nori gomasio that I put on the stir-fried veggies, however, was too fishy for my taste. Nori gamasio is a blend of sesame seeds and Nori seaweed. Also, the amount of dressing for the cucumber tomato salad I had with the stir-fried veggies, was a little strong. I would cut the ingredients measurements in half, if I make it again. It was delicious, just a little overwhelming!

Stir-fried veggies & Cucumber-tomato salad

My cat is certainly enjoying the foods I'm eating. After giving him a few tid bits of salmon from my Greek salad at lunch, he was stalking me for more fish at dinner, even though I only had the Nori gomasio. Seaweed is so fishy smelling!

The Reset guide talks about the first 3 to 5 days, being the hardest, and today was! I also thought I was doing better not fantasizing about eating everything in the kitchen, but I seriously almost cried when I was getting my son snack of chocolate bunny crackers!

Day 2 of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Tuesday

It was day 2 of my Beachbody Ultimate Reset, Tuesday, and last night I went to bed around 10 pm last night, because I was pretty tired. I was however refreshed in the morning, and had no problems waking up at 5:50 this morning (which hasn't been that easy in awhile)!

I noticed that my desire to snack was different from Monday's! I wasn't visiting the kitchen wanting to eat all the food like I was on Monday. I did, however need two snacks today, since I had to make it through a long lab. Another thing I've noticed is how chapped my lips have been, which I'm trying to combat by drinking more water. It's a little bit of a challenge at times, but I'm working on it! I'm experiencing fewer headaches than I did yesterday, too! I finished off another gallon of water today!

Meal planning has been a little bit of a challenge, since some of the meals require a bit of work. I was so ravenous when dinner came around, because I was trying to get my black beans soaked. I think they may be a little too old, though, so I swapped them with pinto beans. Then, when I was trying to get the rice cooked, all the water boiled off, so I had to add more, which usually results in more mushy rice. Another thing that delayed dinner, was that I had to change my son's infusion set. It's a needle, tubing, and insulin reservoir that connects to his insulin pump. It takes about 15 minutes, so by the time I sat down to eat, it was 8 pm! It's a good thing I'd chosen to have a snack at 4 pm!

I mowed my dinner down, and completely forgot to take a picture of my meal, Southwestern Veggie Taco. It was delicious, with corn, rice, beans cooked in chili powder, coriander, olive oil, Himalayan salt, and cumin, mashed avocado, and salsa on a corn tortilla. Delicious!

I'm keeping up with my journaling, even though I'm behind with my blog posts! It is helping when times get tough! I'm going to keep on keeping on. Unfortunately, I found out that my mom got the flu, so she'll be a week behind me when she starts up on Saturday. It still helps to text message her, though.

The First Day of My Ultimate Reset

Monday, March 31, 2014

I began the first morning of my Beachbody Ultimate Reset by weighing myself, then took my Optimize supplements with 16 oz of distilled water. The Reset comes with 6 different supplements, including Mineralize, which is basically Himalayan salt, a pretty pink salt. I take the different supplements at specific times throughout the day, and I found that setting alarms on my phone really helps! I have to wait a certain amount of time after taking Optimize before I can eat my meals, so I use that time to prepare my meals.

Distilled Water

The guide recommends putting a certain amount of shakes of Himalayan salt in 12-36 oz of distilled water, but they also give the option to put a 1/4 tsp of Himalayan salt in a gallon, then shake it up, and that's what I do, to make it easier. Also, pretty much all of the baking I do that involves water, I use distilled water. Distilled water is basically cleansed of all the stuff that is in regular tap water (which, believe or not, is also what's in most bottled waters that you buy at the store). It contains pretty much only the oxygen and hydrogen molecules that make up water! Even a Brita and other brands of pitcher filters are not purifying enough, and they recommend that, if you do have to get water from another source (because you're traveling, or you run out of distilled water before you have a chance to go to the store), you use a reverse osmosis or carbon filtration connected to your faucet, and that you use it sparingly.

I went through a whole gallon of distilled water today , because they recommend that you take your total weight, in pounds, divide it by 2, and that's the minimum amount of ounces of water you should be drinking each day. I think I still need to drink more water, because my lips are fairly chapped. Water is a big deal, because it is so good for your body in so many ways!

Over the past few weeks, snacking has become a thing for me. The problem with this, is that I was over-snacking! I would constantly be visiting the kitchen, and I really saw that today, as I'm trying to limit myself to 1 snack per day. I must have visited the kitchen 10 times yesterday, and temptation was really there; enticing me to grab a little handful of this or that! I prevailed though, and stuck with it the entire day, it just took a little will power, and remembering what I was doing. Also during times like this, I also remind myself that it is only for 21 days, which helps me focus a little bit more.
 
Yummy Food!

I purchased the bulk of my produce (for the first 6 days) on Sunday, and let me tell you, I am going to be consuming so much healthy goodness (more than I really ever have in my entire life) over the next 21 days!

The meal plan is actually pretty delicious, although I think I will be reducing how much Wakame seaweed I add to my miso soup! The program is set up into 3 phases: Reclaim, Release, and Restore, with the first phase allowing for meat, while in the second stage, I will be eliminating meat and dairy, and by the third stage, I will primarily be eating a vegan diet. In each phase, you can mix or match (within the meals from that phase) what you want to have on a specific day. I stuck with the meal plan for today's meals, and will probably continue to do so for tomorrow's. It just makes it a little easier that way!

My favorite meal was dinner, which consisted of steamed asparagus, baked salmon, and baby potatoes. It was delicious!

I ended the day with some restorative yoga, which involved deep breathing and light yoga stretches! Unfortunately, I think I spent too much time on the computer studying last night, so it was a little harder to fall asleep, but I am feeling a bit more rested in the mornings! (As I am actually writing this Wednesday morning :) )

I'm keeping a journal, because I think it's so important for the next couple of weeks to continue to journal throughout the day! It helps me unpack, so to speak, everything that is going on, especially the feelings I experience. It makes me feel as though I burden is released; like I've told a good friend my problems, and I don't need to hold on to them as much!

You can see what I did to start preparing for my Ultimate Reset, by clicking here, for a previous blog post!

How I'm Preparing For My Spring Reset

Beginning the Beachbody Ultimate Reset on March 31, 2014

I've talked about the Beachbody Ultimate Reset in past blogs, and about my desire to do it. A few weeks ago, I'd mentioned the Reset to my mom, when she spoke of having digestion problems. I'd also mentioned my desire to do the Reset in the future. Then, earlier this week, we went to visit my parents, and I found out that my mom had gotten both of us the Beachbody Ultimate Reset! I was stunned, and feel very spoiled. So, starting this coming Monday, March 31, 2014, my mom and I will be beginning Phase 1 of the Reset, Reclaim.

A Few Days in Advance

After I found out how badly my mom spoiled me, we began planning out how we would need to prepare for the coming 21 days. My mom and I made lists of the items we would need, and ordering some of the supplies from the Internet (which is one suggestion that Beachbody offers for those living in small towns, such as my mom's home of about 3, 300 people, and 2 grocery stores). We talked about how we would slowly wean ourselves off of coffee, since it is highly suggested that you don't drink caffeine during the Reset, because the Reset is about detoxing, not about adding more toxins. My mom and I also talked about keeping in contact every day, or at least every other day to talk about how we are doing. Because the Beachbody Ultimate Reset is such a life-changing experience, joining a support team, or finding support in family or friends, is recommended to ensure that needed support is available when temptation or other tough times arise.

On our way back home, my husband, son, and I went to an Asian Food Market to pick up a few of the items that we weren't able to find easily at a regular grocery store. While at the market, we browsed for various items, and came out with miso paste, which I'll be using to make Miso Soup & Ginger-Sesame-Miso Dressing. We also picked up a bamboo rolling map, which I'll be using to make Nori Rolls. The other items we found were nori seaweed, wakame seaweed, Mirin Japanese cooking wine, and a Kabocha squash. I realized after we were miles away, that the cooking wine contained corn syrup, which was one of the things that is recommended to make sure the cooking wine doesn't have. Thankfully, though, I was able to find some at Fred Meyer in the Asian cooking section, that doesn't have corn syrup in it. About the Kabocha squash, it's a product of Mexico, so I thought it might be found at a regular grocery store, but I didn't see it at Fred Meyer. I will look at Winco, but if I can't find it, and have to use it beyond the one I have, the Reset suggests substituting it with acorn squash (which is easier to find).

Kabocha squash

Sunday, the Day Before It Begins

Since quite a bit of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset consists of eating whole fruits and vegetables, I will be waiting until Sunday, the Day Before It Begins, to purchase the produce I'll need for the first 6 days. I will also be preparing some of the foods ahead of time. I'll be making brown rice, quinoa, various dressings, toasted pumpkin seeds, black beans, and lentils, as well as something called Nori Gomasio. I'm nervous, but also really excited, about starting on Monday!

Get YOUR Beachbody Ultimate Reset and get my support as your free, independent Team Beachbody Coach! How will you get ready for the rest of spring, summer, and the rest of your life?

Fewer Excuses, More Results

Clean Eating

Yes, you can get good weight loss results simply by changing your eating habits; sticking to an 80/20 clean eating diet (not diet, as in calorie-counting, starving, guilt-ridden dieting). I've seen it over, and over, and over again. In fact, over 80 pounds have been lost  gotten rid of by 18 members in just 30 days of clean eating! If you want to know what an 80/20 clean eating diet is, it's 80% clean eating (check out another one of my blog posts to see what I mean by clean eating), and 20% of just about whatever you want. The 'whatever you want' could be during those holidays, birthday parties, or unexpected moments that call for a fast food trip, or a sweet treat fix.

Functional Fitness

Clean eating is a very valuable part to weight loss, and I do contribute the majority of the weight-loss from my clean eating groups and their healthier eating, some of the members incorporate exercise into their daily routine, as well. I'm a big proponent of exercise, because you can eat well and live well, but I want to eat well and live strong! I want to be fit, not thin. I desire ab definition, and a toned body. I believe in the importance of not only cardio, but weight-training (so you burn more calories), flexibility (so you don't strain your muscles and tendons), and balance (so you're less likely to fall, as you get older)! I love that Tony Horton (creator of P90X, P90X2, P90X3) stresses the importance of functional fitness, especially as we age (Tony's pushing 60, and he looks 40). You can choose to work for hours at the gym, hoping that you cover all the muscle groups and important aspects of fitness. OR you can snag a fitness program, without the hassle of a contract, monthly payments, traffic to get to the gym, daycare, old equipment, confusing equipment, scheduling, etc.

Fewer Excuses, More Results

What are you focusing on to get ready for Spring Break or warmer weather?
I'm on day 33 of P90X3, and I have decided on this motto: "Fewer Excuses, More Results." You can learn more about my journey, and see my results here, at a previous blog post! I'm not perfect; I still miss a work out here or there, but I haven't given up! Yes, it's hard. No, it doesn't get easier; you just get stronger. Are you ready to see how strong you can become? Think about the goals you want to achieve, and start today! One of my goals, after finishing P90X3, is to get certified to teach P90X before the end of the year! This time, last year, I had only heard of P90X, and never imagined completing it! Imagine where YOU could be this time next year!

Now, what's stopping you?

How do you want to get started?

Do you want some help?

I'd love to prove it to you that I want to help you reach your goals! I host free clean eating support groups on Facebook, where I'll give you 30 days of clean eats recipes, shopping lists, and clean eating tips. Also, if you want to get started with a fitness program that will work for you, I will help you get started right! www.beachbodycoach.com/iib4

Control Your Eating Habits

Another Beachbody coach did an amazing job putting together posts for those coaches who wanted to host clean eating challenge groups, and this blog post, 5 Ways to Stop Binge Eating, is one of the posts that she included. In a past blog, Food Relationship, I've talked about knowing what your relationship with food was, and about having a conscious awareness of how it affects you, and how you can begin to take back or strengthen your control over what you eat. Failure is an event, not a person! Remember, every day is a new chance, don't give up, because you will get stronger!

5 Ways to Stop Binge Eating

When you change your eating habits, it can take time for you to adjust. When I started this challenge, I had trouble making sure I was getting enough healthy calories, and I was really hungry all day. Slowly, I discovered that I needed to eat enough protein and foods like nuts and pistachios and almond butter in addition to my intake of fruits and veggies in order to stay full.

Binge eating, or overeating a large amount of junk food in a short time, is a real problem.

Eating everything in sight can be both an emotional response, or a response to hunger. Remember, the key to good health is eating PLENTY of good food! Starving yourself is NEVER the answer.

Here are five ways to stop binge eating:

1. Eat enough good foods. If you’re always starving, you’re doing something wrong. Make sure that you’re eating plenty of fruits, veggies, lean protein, smoothies, and nuts. Track your protein throughout the day and make sure you’re getting enough.

2. Eat every 2-3 hours. This is key. If you let yourself get famished, then it’s easier to give into cravings for things like fast foods. But if you always have healthy snacks on hand, you’ll be able to curb that tendency.

3. Drink enough water. It’s easy to confuse hunger with thirst. So make sure you hydrate! Shoot for 8-10 glasses of water per day.

4. Chew gum when cravings take over.

5. Eat treats from small bowls and plates. Don’t eat straight from the carton of ice cream or bag of chips. It’s definitely okay to have a little of your favorite junk food now and then if you follow the 80/20 rule (80% of the time clean eat, while 20% of the time, unexpected (or even planned) events may come up where you don't have clean eating options (birthday parties)), but if you don’t measure out portions it’s easy to just keep eating.
It’s important to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. Food is fuel!

https://www.facebook.com/Sarahsdrive
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/iib4

Clean Eating for Breakfast

A Few Clean Eating Recipes to Get You Going

Some mornings, well actually a lot of mornings, I feel rushed. Even though I wake up with sufficient time to get myself ready for the day, I'm not a morning person. It can take me a good 3o minutes, after a good cup of coffee, before I can speak a coherent sentence. Many mornings I fix myself the same breakfast that I had the day before, but sometimes I like variety. How about you? Do you like to mix it up some mornings?

Here are a few breakfasts that you can whip together, and that will get you going, and

help you out on the mornings you're in a rush, and need a quick breakfast (without wanting to opt for an unhealthy donut :) ) I love a convenient breakfast, especially for my 5-year-old type 1 diabetic son, whom I try to make sure gets a well-rounded meal before heading off to kindergarten. 

On the Glow Basic Oatmeal Squares
ohsheglows.com
9 Servings

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not instant oats)
3 Tbsp. chia seeds
½ cup + 1 Tbsp. ground flax seed
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. sea salt
1-1/2 cups almond milk (or other milk)
½ cup pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener, like honey)
2 Tbsp. nut or seed butter
1 banana, chopped into small pieces
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8 inch square pan with two pieces of parchment paper.
In a blender or food processor, blend/process 1 cup of the oats until a flour forms. Or you can just use 1 cup of oat flour.
In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: oat flour, 1.5 cups rolled oats, chia, flax, baking powder, salt, cinnamon. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, syrup, nut/seed butter, banana, vanilla until no clumps remain. Add wet to dry and stir until combined. Add dry sweetener to taste if desired. Fold in any nuts or dried fruit that you desire.
Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth out. Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly golden along edge and it springs back slowly when touched. I baked them for 40 minutes, but baking time may vary. Place pan on cooling rack for 10 minutes, carefully remove, and cool on rack before slicing.

3 Ingredients Breakfast “Donuts”
FB/Rawganic Vegan

In a food processor, blend 1 cup dates (pitted), ½ cup shredded coconut, ¼ cup hemp seeds (you can substitute w/ chia or flaxseeds) until well mixed. Roll in coconut and chill!

Fast-Track Blueberry Muffin
Makes 15 muffins
Serving Size: 1 muffin; Cal: 140; Fat: 2.5g; Carbs: 28g; Fiber: 4g; Protein: 4g

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
¾ cup flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) (can substitute with equal parts wheat germ)
1/2 cup brown sugar (or sub. honey)
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 apples, shredded
3/4 cup non-fat milk (or sub. w/ other milk, like almond)
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup blueberries (or other fruit, just account for the calorie difference)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all dry ingredients together, except blueberries.
Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla & beat for 30 seconds.
Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir & fold in blueberries (or other fruit of choice). Fill each muffin tin cup 3/4 of the way full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Ready for some clean eating dinners?

https://www.facebook.com/Sarahsdrive