Started with this

I started the week off seeing this picture on line.  It made me happy.  Beautiful colors and simplicity in motion.  Often we forget how simple life should be.  Yes life is busy and yes there will never be enough hours in the day but look how calm and peaceful these two boys are. Stopping to "smell the roses" or take a time out is healthy and necessary.

Busy Weekend

Weekends are always super busy and when it comes to eating, weekends are definitely the hardest for me.  This weekend I was asked to present at a womens conference about Physical Health & Wellness.  Most of the information I shared was from my experience and what Ive learned on my own journey.   It's a constant battle to stay focused and motivated.  I appreciate the support of friends who have similar goals and motivate me. 
I've been lifting weights in addition to my regular workout schedule and feel & like the results in just a week.  Last week I felt really successful.  Eating was good and workouts were productive.  Holding on to that momentum will be good going into this 2nd week of my NO JUNK CHALLENGE!

After some leg lifting at the gym, had a Saturday date night with the hubs!  I was really craving lettuce wraps from PFChangs but the wait was so long we hit up Chilis instead.  I haven't eaten there for years but knew I wanted healthy.  Even watching my food for the weekend I was close on calories.  I don't burn near as many calories on weekends as I do weekdays.
The MANGO CHILI TALAPIA looked amazing so I gave it a chance.  Loved the spiciness of the salsa and sauce on top and the fish was ok but still a bit "fishy" for me.  Broccoli and Rice Pilaf was delicious!  Total 550 calories = not too bad.  I added a house salad for another 150 calories.....yum!
It feels good to be in some control.  I'm highly motivated and hoping that stays with me while I adjust to healthier eating.  Today (Sunday) has been a little tougher.  Ive been hungry all day long, even though Im snacking.   AND Im craving a sweet ALL DAY LONG!  I even brought Ghirardelli chocolates to my choir members today and abstained.  The closest I came was yogurt with granola and cranberries, which was a good choice.  Looking forward to the coming week with a plan to succeed.

Keep calm and eat good

I'm becoming passionate about eating well.  Today I made an amazing salad. 
Spinach*Chicken*Feta Cheese (basil & tomatoe)*Purple Onion*Cranberries & Almonds*Strawberries*Light vinaigrette dressing.  It was filling and only about 400 calories for the entire thing.

The Ingredients

TA DA! 

The bottom of the salad is always the best part.  Where all the yumminess hangs out
 

So then as if my salad wasn't enough brilliance for one day, I got totally domesticated and made homemade green chili enchiladas for the fam bam tonight.  The two on the end are mine (wheat tortillas).  Good balance of protein & carbs.  Workout hard today so must. eat. good! 
I'm lovin where this week has taken me.  I'm feeling healthy, strong & lost 7lbs.  Going into the weekend ready to take the challenge.  Weekends are usually where I fall hard off the wagon so I'm holding tight to those reins and staying in control....at least that's the plan! 

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

Or you could burn 1,000+ calories...

On this day.....I not only taught Zumba but did 8STRIKES with the 8StrikeArmy!  This class.....words don't describe.  You must try for yourself.  Literally dripping sweat every second.  So sweaty that my gloves dyed my hands black.  Burning fire in my abs and legs.  Best energy with the best people. 

Temptation everywhere

Doesn't matter where I go....chocolate is following me!  It's my stalker.....
I'm so tempted with these cookies that Baili makes and then she shows up with a KING size Milky Way bar??? I could taste it BUT I was strong.  You know what.....I try to compare how I feel after I give in to these temptations verses how I feel once I get past that craving and then its so much easier to say NO.  It's always a good idea to leave the area of the treat. If your temptation is not sweets then you can not relate but I feel like a drug addict in those moments.  I can taste it in my mouth.  I try to hurry out of the store or leave the kitchen even though the smell of melting yumminess seems to be everywhere in my house....BACK AWAY FROM THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES.....what would I do without that angel on my shoulder.

2 for 2

Today's the second day of my healthy eating restart.  I've been trying to motivate my family to eat healthy also.   My kids have a sugar tooth that they might get from me???? Lol

I also have a son that has Celiacs disease and cannot have any wheat in his food.  Last night we had gluten free rice pasta that was actually pretty good.  I'm loading up on veggies and salads and taking it light on the other stuff.  

Tonight I made a huge stir fry with asparagus, red, yellow & orange bell or peppers, carrots, red cabbage & red onion.  

I have found in the past when I eat a lot of veggies, it seems to boost my metabolism into gear and I loose weight faster

DAY ONE.....again

Every Monday is like groundhog day but Todays the Day! I'm excited and motivated.  Reminding myself that the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.   Great workouts today.  Eating good and clean.  I've got this!!!!!

And then there's this....

It seems so easy!  And really it is.  It just requires motivation, determination, preparedness & the key ingredient for me WILL POWER.  Positive thinking.....

confessions of an OCD fitness instructor with a food addiction.....

Tonight I'm feeling two things.....like a major failure & highly motivated to be better. 
It's been about a week since I was on point with my challenge.  We had an amazing event here in Vegas and now hold the record for the largest Zumbathon in the USA.  It was a complete success and we had so much fun.  Unfortunately since then my "healthy eating"/ challenge has gone out the door.  I've mulled it over in my mind a million times, beating myself up for having white rice and Naan bread, which seems totally ridiculous BUT since then I've thrown all sense out the window when it comes to eating clean and healthy.
So enough about the problem, on to the solution......thankful for a new week tomorrow.  I have a plan to prep my food for the week and excited about working out.  I've been thinking about running and swimming but not sure where to squeeze those in with teaching pump & Zumba. 

Agghhh!

Today was tough.  I want BAGELS, BREAD & CEREAL.  I had lunch at Zupas and was good, ordered mango berry salad and cauliflower soup, but the afternoon I was just starving....not even craving treats, just wanna eat!  Almost gave in to candy bars at the Smiths checkout but didnt.  Hoping this feeling subsides soon.  

Cinco de Abs

Day 5 and Im obsessed with getting some great looking abs.  After Zumba today I tried some new exercises for abs and I LOVE THEM.....If you don't already know, I tend to have an addictive personality and I can feel myself being sucked into the vortex of ab obsession!  haha....not really but I love the feeling when you've worked hard and feel tighter.  I must say thought that the picture above is definitely true.  You can do crunches and sit-ups all day long but if you eat junk food and over eat carbs, you will never see those abs you've worked so hard for. 
Which leads me to my next picture....stay away from these....my lovely daughter Baili likes to bake trays of cookies at random and just leave them sitting in the kitchen tempting me.  I'm still in the withdrawal stage so I begin to salivate even looking at this picture let alone smelling the chocolate chips melting. 

I'm feeling strong though.  I accidently gave in to a half eaten bag of sour cream and onion chips sitting on my couch.  I didn't eat the whole thing, I just put two chips in my mouth and then was like UMM 911 what the heck am I doing.....I totally spit it into the trash can and didn't swallow it.  That was a huge accomplishment for me. 
Here's what we had for dinner.  Salmon, which I never liked but have found a taste for it, spicy baked sweet potato fries (gluten free for our son that has Celiacs Disease) and beautiful asparagus. 
I'm finding my taste and tolerance is changing and Im enjoying eating good things. 
Working hard to get these abs made in my kitchen.

It's all about choices

I'm CRAVING & WITHDRAWING.........
Excited to be past day three because by now I've usually given in to junk food and feel like a loser.
Instead I feel motivated and strong, well strong in the exercise area not so strong in the food area.  I've been good!  Real good, but I am totally craving chocolate and bread.  Walking around Smiths today I ALMOST bought a pan of squishy fresh white bread but quickly dumped it and hurried to the checkout where I bought candy bars for my kids???? That made no sense?  In the past these would not have made it home to my house.  They would have been demolished in the parking lot BUT I'm proud to say I said NO and felt empowered by that. 
In the past, when Ive given in to binging in the parking lot, I then fall into a bad place in my head.
Having battled some eating issues at college and having the mindset that "I can work it off in the gym" its really hard for me to keep some thoughts under control.  I have learned, however, that when I control my eating, I am such a better me. 
So I hurried home and made this beautiful salad instead and it was delicious.

Now you are wondering why I have this picture.....well, this was desert at Ryan (my 10yr olds) Cub Scout banquet tonight.  I saw it from across the room, the minute we walked in.  It's like FAT FOOD hears me coming.  I recommitted that I would not listen to it calling my name.  I was not having any.  Proud to say I didn't, even though I was sure I could taste the yummy Pirouline cookies melting in my mouth, it was just a dream!  I had some trail mix instead.  Day 4...pretty successful.  I definitely am struggling with the cravings but Im going to stay strong because I feel so good and hoping to see some changes in my body over the next couple of weeks. 

The highlight of my workout today, was sweating it out with these three guys at 8strikes.  This class is insanely fun.  I mean "fun" in a sadistic, "Im going to cry if I have to do another tuck jump" sort of way.  Seriously a great workout.....cardio and all over strength class.  I was kinda nursing my pulled muscle still so that was frustrating that I couldn't go all out but I did a flippin ton of pushups and can feel myself getting stronger all the time with those.  700+ calories later and Day 4 is over and done with......

3 workouts for Day 3

I started today with Bodypump 88 and a pulled groin muscle from lifting legs on Saturday,  Sometimes I'm over zealous like that.....
I still broke a sweat but had to bag squats and lunges, which stank because one of my goals is to lift this tush off the ground and back where it belongs :)  Two Zumba classes later and my legs were killing me but I burned lots of calories and got some good sweat time in.  Feeling good about day 3.  Turned to my favorite healthy snack, slices apples and two tablespoons of peanut butter.  I feel like Im indulging slightly on the PB but its good protein and super yummy.  After 1200+ calories burned for the day, I think I'll be fine with the extra fat.  Unprepared with dinner so I had tangerines and wheat cereal.....not very exciting I know! 

Super Bowl Sunday

We're not a big football family but despite the game being a total blowout....Broncos were slaughtered, we did have some goodies to eat.  I was prepared with healthy goodies for me.  These eggs were amazing.  I haven't had deviled eggs in years.  I mixed the egg yellow with some avocado, little mayo, mustard and paprika....sprinkled bacon bits on top. 
Baili made jello so I had some of that along with frozen fruit with yogurt poured on top!  I was stuffed from overeating the eggs but I felt satisfied and like I didn't miss out on super bowl treats.
Day 2...touchdown!

Back in the Saddle

Im back to bloging.....*applause*! 
I started a new "NO JUNK" challenge and decided a good way to stay accountable and on track would be to post how its going, on this blog.  I completed 19 days of the 21 day challenge over Thanksgiving, of all times of the year to start a good eating challenge, but I did really well until I fell victim to a Whopper burger from Burger King, which nearly killed me.  I learned that your body definitely adjusts to eating well and when you put back in the bad stuff, there WILL be a reaction! 

 

So this is the challenge!  It's simple and straight to the point!   No junk....... easier said than done but I know its doable.  I started this for the second time today.  I'm excited but mostly motivated because Im so FED UP of going to bed each nigh feeling sick (literally physically sick) from the stuff I've eaten and waking up each morning trying to recommit.   I find when I abstain from sweets, I just turn to carbs.....um BREAD....and I binge on that.
They say when you reach a breaking point, its then you're ready for a change. 
So on we go......wish me luck!