Cleansing

I realize on my last post that once I recapped the past 5 days, I didn't really talk about the cleanse. I first mentioned the cleanse last Friday. My friend and I decided to try it together just to have someone to hold us accountable. We have been texting back and forth since Monday over the good and bad of our cleanse.

I really didn't expect much from this cleanse. I felt that I was eating mostly clean foods and that this cleanse would be easy for me. For the most part, my meals have not been a huge issue. I have tried a few new things though. I have been doing fruit smoothies for breakfast and hard boiled eggs with avocado for lunch. It has been helping me with my mindless snacking though, which is what I really needed help with.

I didn't decide to do a cleanse to lose weight. I am sure that I could do a 3 day juice fast and lose weight, but I would obviously gain everything back as soon as I started to eat real food again. I have been struggling with white processed foods. My husband loves taco night and prefers white tortillas. There are a few wheat tortilla brands that he will eat, but occasionally he just needs white processed tortillas. I am usually fine with ignoring his tortillas and sticking to my wheat or corn tortillas. However, for the past month or two I have found myself filling white tortillas (even though there are wheat tortillas in the fridge) with lunch meat and cheese or cream cheese and jam. They are delicious and I don't usually stop at one. I really needed to remove white grains from my diet for awhile just to reset myself. That was the main goal of the cleanse for me.

It is interesting how much I think about snacking when I am not really hungry. Now that my snack options are so limited (fruit, veggie, nut) I don't mindlessly snack so much. It seems that I actually only snack when I am hungry! haha. I did have a new to me fruit that I loved and felt like I was indulging- a cherimoya. It's common name is apple custard. It's not quite custard, but it is delicious. It was a bit pricey but I liked it enough that I went back to the store and bought 2 more today. 

cherimoya- new favorite fruit

Back to the cleanse, I wasn't really thinking of taking the no caffeine too seriously. I figured I would go one day without coffee and then allow myself just one cup of coffee each morning. I was shocked that I never got a headache from caffeine withdrawal, but I definitely lost focus and energy.

Monday I did have half of a cup of coffee to start the day, but have not had any caffeine since then. Tuesday and Wednesday were the worst. Both days all I wanted to do was place little lady in front of the tv and curl up under a blanket. Thankfully, I did not but I was not as energetic as usual. We made it to a Mom's club playgroup and even had some fun at home.

play dough fun while mom pretends to not need a nap

I also had to force myself to do each run this week. They were way slower than usual, but they got done.

Today, Thursday, I actual feel a bit of energy in me. I have not felt the urge to curl up in blankets and never move again. I actually feel more determined to complete this cleanse without anymore caffeine. (I may make an exception this weekend for my 9 mile run.)

Tomorrow is my weigh-in day so I am excited for that. I had gained about 2 pounds from the drinking that was last weekend, but those came back off pretty easily. Here's to a good weigh in day for all!

Weekend recap and more

So I survived the trip to the east side of the state...just barely. I will admit I was happy with my eating while there but my drinking was out of control.

After my run on Saturday I did indeed eat my oatmeal and salad. We drove straight to my cousin's house where she made tacos for the birthday party. I had one taco with meat, tomatoes, onions, and guacamole. I also enjoyed a side of dirty rice. Surprisingly my hand only dipped into the chips a few times. There was of course cake and ice cream. I had a small piece and one scoop of ice cream that I shared with little lady and thankfully she ate most of it for me.

Once most of the party goers left, a few of us enjoyed some wine together. We were waiting for my other cousin to make it over still. (My brother is really close to the cousin we were waiting for and they had planned on hanging out and invited hubby and I to join them all too.) The wine kept flowing and after three large glasses, I should have stopped. I did not. Shortly after my cousin got there I went with my SIL to take my nephew to her dad's house for the night (little lady was with my mom). I knew I was already drunk in the car but I didn't really think much of it. (My SIL had not had anything to drink yet. No one was harmed in the car ride.)

We got back to my cousin's and ended up going on a quick run to the liquor store for beer, wine, and liquor. We hung around my cousin's for a bit more and I probably had another glass of wine and then some how we all ended up heading out to the bar. (I was not driving. The hubby dropped my car at my mom's since he hadn't started drinking yet and we picked a bar about a half mile from my mom's.)

Unfortunately I continued drinking at the bar, but switched to liquor. Around 12:30 it suddenly hit me that I was way to drunk. Whenever I have that revelation, I demand that the hubby take me home immediately. We found our coats and my cousin noticed we were taking off and refused to let us walk so he graciously drove us to my mom's. As soon as we walked in, I fell apart. Let's just say the night did not end pretty.

The next morning I woke up feeling okay, but extremely tired. Little lady woke up around 7 and the hubby needed help finding more wipes so I had to get out of bed. I laid pathetically on the couch the whole morning and maybe fell asleep for a few minutes (It's hard to fall asleep with a toddler roaming around). Since it was St. Patrick's Day my mom was making corned beef and cabbage and really wanted us to stay. I REALLY didn't feel like eating but I also REALLY didn't feel like moving so we sort of got roped into lunch. My mom invited my grandma over at 11 (my gma lives 2 houses down) so my goal was to get dressed by 11.

That did not happen so when I heard my grandma come in, I jumped in the shower quickly. I was hoping a shower would make me feel better but it made me realize how hard it was for me to stand. I felt weak. I got dressed and sat at the table with a piece of bread. I took a few bites and told the hubby that I needed to sleep for a little bit and then I could make the trip home.

The hubby woke me after a half hour and I felt SO much better. I rejoined my family and had a half of a corned beef sandwich and chatted for a bit. Then, we loaded up and got ready to head home. I almost made it out of my mom's house having only eaten that half sandwich, but she had bought us each a candy bar and I had to take it with me. I ate and enjoyed it in the car.

Sunday was supposed to be cross training but I just could not convince myself to do anything once we were home and settled. I decided to try to make it up this week.

Monday was the first day of my 10 day cleanse. I woke up to a fresh pot of coffee made by my wonderful husband. I have finally gotten him to make me coffee and I don't think he realized that I was not planning on coffee. I had to enjoy a half cup, but that was all I had. I managed just fine with resisting everything else on my list.

According to my training schedule I am supposed to run on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday but I needed to run Monday thru Wednesday because of a potential visitor. I could not convince myself to run but I did walk 3 miles on the treadmill. I felt okay with that because my right knee and calf have been feeling off. I thought maybe just walking would be good.

Tuesday I would have had 5 miles to run, but plans changed for this week and I didn't have to rush my runs in the beginning of the week. I was really tired yesterday mainly from lack of caffeine so I decided to count my 3 mile walk as cross training so that I would be caught up and just run 3 miles on Tuesday. I did walking and running on the treadmill because my calf was really tight, but my knee did feel better.

Today, Wednesday, I had to face up my mid week 5 mile run. I felt exhausted all day. I realize how much I rely on coffee. I really want to add a cup of coffee in the morning back, but I actually feel determined to finish the rest of the 10 days without caffeine. I was planning on waiting for the hubby to get home from work so I could run outside since it is the first day of spring. However, I looked out the window and saw this.

How is it still snowing?

I felt crabby from lack of caffeine and could not convince myself that I would run in the snow. I thought I would try 5 miles on the treadmill during nap time, but I was so unfocused. I almost decided to skip the run and blame it on the knee/calf issue, but I couldn't do it.

Once little lady went to sleep I hopped on the treadmill. I walked the first 0.1 mile and ran the last 0.9 mile of each mile. It took me forever (1:08:25) but I did it! I felt good and more awake than I felt all day. I didn't realize how sweaty I was until I went in the bathroom to shower.

sweaty chest! I earned it!

I am hoping to run my 3 miles outside tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will get nice soon so I can just take little lady with me on my week day runs.

Spring is such a tease!

Yesterday was 40 degrees AND sunny! Little lady and I were out running errands and by the afternoon I wanted to take my winter coat off and soak up the sun. I immediately sent the hubby a message asking if I could run outside when he got home from work as long as he didn't pick up over time. I was so excited when he agreed and didn't think there would be overtime.

He came home and I was all dressed for an outdoor run. It felt great and my time wasn't to bad. I averaged an 11 minute mile for 4 miles. My first 3 miles were faster than an 11 minute mile, but my last mile is uphill and was 11:30 minute mile. I felt great and was proud of my time.

The bright sun had actually melted the snow covering the trail. This is just one day after my previous picture of this trail (snow covered).

It felt so good to finish and feel accomplished. I realized the treadmill is not for me. I really don't feel awesome when I am done on the treadmill. I am just glad that it's over and I think about quitting about every 0.1 mile. Recently I have been thinking that maybe the half marathon would be to much for me and I was worried that I got myself in to deep. The treadmill makes me slower and not as happy. These past two runs outside have made me remember that happy feeling from running. (Not exactly runner's high on both of these runs, just the "I am done running and now feel awesome!") I feel like a half marathon will be totally doable again!

I will still have to use the treadmill a bit, but I am going to try really hard to get my long run and the longer run of the weekdays done outside. Once spring is actually here and temps are above 50, I can push little lady in the jogging stroller again. I am excited for that too. I loved her being a part of my running experience too. I felt like a positive example for her. (Although, I also really like my runs alone.)

Today I am actually taking my rest day from Sunday. I haven't had a rest day in a week. I am proud of that, but actually felt a bit sore today. I am happy to rest. I also noticed that I felt starving today. I ate breakfast an hour earlier because I was just so hungry. I still felt a little hungry after eating breakfast but if I eat to much in the morning, I lose all control. We went out to little lady's "school" and when we got home I scarfed down lunch with her. I had planned on eating lighter today since I wasn't working out, but I haven't eaten any "extra" calories from any of the past few workouts. (I have eaten at the high range of the day though.) I plugged in everything I planned on eating for my meals for the day and was still almost 300 calories under the minimum for the day. I decided to have lunch part 2 while little lady was napping. I made a sandwich (which I have been craving- I used to have one every day for lunch and I don't think I have since last summer.) and it was delicious. I still felt like eating more, but I drank a few glasses of water and got working on the house. I still feel slightly hungry, but I don't want to turn it into a binge. I am thinking I will need something else before dinner so fruit will be my friend today.

Well, I need to go finish cleaning up this house. My brother and his family should be here tomorrow and I can't wait to see them. We are expecting some serious snow though and I am hoping that somehow things will still work out.

Trick or treat

We survived Halloween! I even did fairly well with my eating. I ate well throughout the day and had a light but filling dinner before heading out. Since we live on a main road and people don't trick or treat on it, the neighbors behind us invited us over to pass out candy with them. (They live on a court in a subdivision.) They told us they would have food, drinks, and jello shots. We decided that instead of just cutting through the yard to them we would trick or treat with little lady down the street to their house. It worked out perfectly. We stopped at about ten houses and then arrived at our neighbors to pass out candy.

The first house little lady went to! She was so cute. (Also, I love the neighbors in the background.)

I had brought two bags of candy to pass out and was hoping we wouldn't have to bring any home (which we did not, other than what little lady collected- another reason that ten houses were enough). The neighbors had chili, soup, pigs in a blanket, snacks and jello shots. I had a few jello shots and then stuck to the wine that I brought. I don't drink wine super fast so it seemed safe for me. I did eat about ten pieces of candy corn and 2 little pretzels. I felt good about that. I did not touch the delicious chocolate candy because one piece always leads to more. I felt successful at Halloween. I also have not touched little lady's candy. I am hoping the hubby will eat it up otherwise I will throw it out. (I would donate, but there really isn't that much there.)

I am feeling a bit more in control again and am thankful for that. I really think focusing on my lunch has helped me. Tomorrow I will weigh in. I am nervous and excited. I actually have not been on the scale since Friday. Wow! That is a record for me. I am actually just hoping for a maintain since I was off track as many days as I was on track. I think I would like to try to just step on the scale once a week. I feel obsessive and it really affects my mood. I usually end up eating more though because I know I won't have to face the numbers. It if could keep my eating in check and just weigh in on weigh in day though, I think it would be more exciting for me. Perhaps this will be my week.

Breakfast of champions

 I am having such a hard time staying motivated right now. I am totally blaming the weather! I did manage to stay on track yesterday and I feel good about that. I even tried to run. I decided that I wanted to run yesterday so I busted out the old treadmill. Oh boy, do I hate that thing. I started out and my thighs felt weird, like it was painful when they jiggled (embarrassing) but I kept going. Normally I know they jiggle, but I can't actually feel it. I was trying to pick up the pace and my calf started hurting. Back track: The night after the 10k I was feeling fine. Nothing seemed sore from my 10k. When I was laying in bed, I did a full body stretch and my calf cramped up really bad. It cramped up off and on through the night. Since that night though it has seemed fine. Back to my story: As I was attempting to pick up speed my calf was starting to cramp. I decided that since I didn't have to run/wasn't enjoying it that I could stop. I really don't want to cause an injury unnecessarily. I was disappointed in myself that I didn't even run for a full 10 minutes, but I let it go.

I was going to do a Jillian Michaels workout today, but it started with a lot of arm swinging and then into push ups and for whatever reason my shoulder is still having issues. I decided that I would do a brisk half hour walk on treadmill. That seems good for a recovery week.

I did have a bit of a non scale victory yesterday along with staying within my calories for the day. I went grocery shopping and actually stuck to my list (for the most part)! I have been enjoying yogurt as a snack so I needed to pick up some yogurt. While looking through the yogurt for my new favorite, Muller, I noticed they had a bit more variety than last week. I had found Muller yogurt and fruit mousse. It is delicious and perfect when I want something sweet. This time along side of the fruit mousse yogurt there were little yogurts with "accessories." They had fruit ones, but of course I was much more intrigued with the desserty types. They had yogurt with "choco balls" and another with caramelized almonds. The fruit mousse yogurt is less than 150 calories (high for a snack, but worth it to me) but these treats were over 200 calories. I bought one of each and decided they could be a breakfast option. Here comes the non scale victory part: I tend to get home from the grocery and want "just a taste" of every delicious food that I brought home. I was trying to move some calories around and eat a yogurt after lunch. I knew that if I spent those extra calories right after lunch, I would be hungry and in need of those calories later. I managed to resist the yogurt all day, even after enjoying a glass of wine!

I did decide that the perfect Halloween Breakfast would be yogurt with "choco balls." I believe I was right.
Breakfast of champs.

yummy holiday breakfast

delicious, but the picture is deceiving

Spring day in October

The weather yesterday and today has been amazing! It makes me so happy when it's nice out. I hear we are back to our regularly scheduled October weather tomorrow. It was nice to have a little spring preview though. I think my moods are definitely affected by the weather.

Yesterday I had a near perfect healthy living day. I did "enjoy" a bit yesterday, but it was in my calorie range. I was making chocolate covered pretzels for little lady's Halloween party today and had a bit of extra melted chocolate after the pretzels were done. I didn't want to waste chocolate so I made a few chocolate covered strawberries. They were delicious and I truly enjoyed them! Plus, I didn't even feel guilty.


This morning little lady and I went to her Halloween party. I tried to get a cute picture of her in her costume but it wasn't cooperating well. I was bummed that the felt pieces of her peacock tail kept getting covered. I might try to brain storm a way to make it better for Halloween. She did get a lot of compliments though so I was happy.

I swear it was much cuter in person.

Little lady took a tractor ride and made a new friend. Her friend doesn't look as happy as she does.

I also managed to stay on track at the party. There are always so many tasty little treats at a party. It's tough because they were all little bite sizes which almost made you want to taste them all. I figured that would add up pretty quickly. I had a small piece of bread and half of a pig in a blanket. Both of which I had tried to offer little lady because I thought they were a better choice than cookies, but she didn't agree and wouldn't eat them. I felt bad just offering them to her and throwing them away since it would also be rude to put them back down after I touched them. So I guess I count it as enjoying the party as a regular person who is not food obsessed (or perhaps just obsessed with not being food obsessed). I counted the calories of what I ate and have already written down the rest of my meals for the day and it should be a success.

I am planning on enjoying the rest of this day's amazing weather. The hubby called this morning and asked if we could go hiking when he gets home if it's still this nice out. I was pretty stoked because he doesn't always want to be super active after a long day of work and there is a new trail near our house that I have been wanting to check out. My friend and I were actually supposed to hike it yesterday after out run but we ran out of time. I hope everything is enjoying this unusually nice fall weather!