The 21 Day Detox Diet!

Well based on peer pressure from my personal trainer I finally decided to try this 21 Day Detox Diet he wrote about in his book "I'm Too Cute to Sweat"

The basics of the diet are you eat nothing but fruits and vegetables for 7 days take a day or two off and get back on for a total of 21 days so in total 3 weeks.

I have a Soror who posted about "detoxing" so I asked her for her version of a detox and she told me so I merged the two into the following:

Strictly fruits and veggies and fish- Feel free to boil, steam, or bake and use a juicer!
The goal is to:

1) Do at least 5-6 days on 1-2 days off! If this is your first detox like this do what works best for you

2) Remove all bad carbs from the diet-candy, soda, cake, chips, etc. for the entire 21 Days-use your days off for other things like nuts, milk products, etc. (or not)

3) Start everyday with a glass of warm water with lemon in the morning and end each night with a glass of the same.

Carrots, raspberries, and pineapple!

Well I can say I have spent more days off than on lol I really did not realize how many processed/carb snacks I rely on! Between protein bars, crackers, popcorn, etc it adds up so quickly! Its crazy! So the one thing I will say is this diet has helped me to refocus on my Weight Watcher Healthy Eating guidelines that do say you should take in between 5-9 fruits and vegges per day. As I was posting in my AKAs workout group I have not had an apple since like...last year! CRAZY! SHAMEFUL! Boasting about exercise and eating loads of crap! No wonder I can shake these regained 25-30 pounds!

But this isn't a pity party of a self bashing sessions its a great wake up call. I am down 3 pounds even though my detox has not been perfect but I can say I do feel lighter and feel better.

Let's get to the nitty gritty detoxing is gonna cost ya! As you all know I made up my mind to spend my money on things that will help me on this journey. So I don't see cost when it comes to my health.  My personal trainer twice a week, my 2 gym memberships (sometimes 3), my new $120 sneakers every 6-8 months, my Massage Envy membership..to me are all a part of the price to do business because for years (and to be honest now) I find plenty of money for my Sorority, Junior League, to travel, to eat out and party, and eat out and party some more so I dare not say a word about spending money to help me live my best life ever in regards to my healthy lifestyle. Be that as it may it will add to your grocery bill thats the bottom line.

FRESH FRUITS & VEGGIES

I do seek lower cost options when I can such as hitting up the local produce market instead of going to Giant or Safeway. I spent over $40.00 a week and a half ago and that is a lot for me but look at what I got! I typically spend less than $10.00 and leave with 4 bags so I did leave with like 8 bags. I bought apples, bananas, beets, carrots, celery, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, what Jamaicans call cho cho but also know choyate squash its like a water dense potato, oranges, grapes, kale, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and garlic. Whew! It was a big haul!

I also bought a juicer! This morning I finally jumped into the juicing portion and it was good! First off I bought a cheaper but decent juicer . Its a Black & Decker and it was abut $30 at Walmart! I was willing to spring for a $100 one but turns out I found this deal and it works fine.

Some pros and cons and general observations about juicing.

It can be messy! * You  need time to actually do it * You need to know what fruits & veggies work best. Carrots great, Raspberries not so much! (See below) LOL

I did get a lot of recommendations from people of combinations I should try but this morning I was in a  rush and I promised myself I was going to do this blog update. I made a carrot, pineapple, and raspberry mix. I used fresh carrots, canned crushed pineapple, and fresh raspberries. The pineapple and raspberries didn't seem to work too well. I felt like most of it ended up be trash. See pic!  

Cool lol

Would I recommend juicing? Sure! I am glad I didn't spend $200 for the machine because this $30 one works just fine! I am guessing the more expensiv machines may juice more difficult fruits better? But I think for my use this works. Its easy to clean up and pull apart and get to work. One warning! If you have acid reflux skip juicing. I get a touch of it from time to time and as I was drinking this morning on the way to work I felt it acting up. Maybe the canned pineapples were the problem. Here are some other recipes if you get a juicer and try them out let me know how you like it and share any tips you uncover! Juicer #1 & Zesty Cook

One product tip! Buying fruit in this quantity can be a challenge especially if you are going to a produce market or a farmers market. On the upside the food is a lot fresher the down side is the lack of preservatives means the fruits and veggies can go bad a lot quicker. So I use these Debbie Meyer Green bags to help keep all my produce fresh longer! I know I'll buy anything on an infomercial but really these work! I am sure I got these at Target but worst case you can get them online as well. It really does extend the life of your produce!

Good investment!

Ok end of my sales pitch! :-)

Aside from that all is well. I was off from the gym for a little over a week but went to my Personal Trainer yesterday. I was late so I only got in 45 minutes BUT I'll take it. It was a good workout. Ideally I'll go tonight to do something. My teaching gig at one schools is on break till next week so I have time to get to the gym vs getting home at almost 10pm! But we'll see!

In other news it was busy weekend. I went on a 3 mile walk in Columbia have not been to that park since Iron Girl! It was so much prettier than I remembered lol  I then had a Junior League of Baltimore meeting. It was not the traditional GMM instead it was a fireside chat at the incoming President's home! I had such a good time! It was nice to hear about her vision for the League and to meet some new members and reconnect with others and have some good food! On Sunday I went to my sorority's Founders' Day where our International President spoke and afterwards it was my line's AKAversary dinner! Talk about a weekend filled with some awesome women! I feel sooo blessed to be counted in the number!

I went to The MAC Store and had my face did and I am usually always rushing so I drop a few hundred and roll out but this time I said I am staying I waited an hour and a nice young lady Ashley did my makeup! Today I dug up the other times I have had it done professionally and I was surprised at the difference! Forgive the choppy side by side by side lol comparison but you get the point!

It inspired me to keep pushing I opted for grapes instead of chips today :-) Have a good week!



Upper left 2008, lower left 2009, right side 2012



A Vision Board Party!

Welllllll I blog about everything so makes sense to mention my upcoming event! I am hosting a Vision Board party! Its kind of a "soft launch" to my new business venture From Theory to Practice Consulting, LLC.

Its an exciting time! I have always talked about vision boards and I have shared many of mine on this blog and people began to ask me about them and how to create one! I would email pictures of mine, give advice, share books I've read, and I always talked about the good results I have experienced. Then as fate would have it last spring (out of the blue) I was offered an adjunct professor position at a local college and the class was about professional and personal development. When the Dean called me the Thursday before the class started the following Tuesday (!) she said "I know you are an attorney but looking over your resume it seems to me that you know a lot about developing personally and professionally and that's exactly what the students need."

I wasn't sold because up until that point I have only taught writing classes and when I sent my resume to that college (over a year ago and never even heard a don't call us we'll call you reply!)  I inquired about English, American Government, or Legal courses. But the idea of helping (mostly) first generation college students from the local community appealed to me so I accepted the position.

The book was already selected and the syllabus was set and part of the course work involved doing a collage. Well a light bulb when off in my mind and I told myself a collage aint nothing but a vision board!!! So as part of the tweaking I did to the class I talked about vision boards and the students ate it up! Most had never heard of vision boards but the concept was so appealing they threw themselves into it and it was so inspiring to watch them share their dreams, passion, and positive attitudes about their futures.

Fast forward to the holidays a soror of mine suggested I have a vision board party! I thought that sounded like a good idea especially with the new year coming! New Year, New Vision! Well time got away from me and next thing I knew it was after January 1st and I put a feeler out there on facebook about hosting a vision board party and I received a number of emails saying they would like to attend! A few days later another Soror texted me and said she saw a flyer in her gym for a Vision Board Party and the host was charging $150.00! I couldn't believe it! I don't knock any one's hustle BUT that's crazy! But the more research I did the more I found this is a viable business and I said well let's see.

I toyed around with the idea of starting a business because an online group I have been a member of for over 10 years had more than a few business owners! Everything from spa services for young girls, to shoes, to grant writing, and coaching for small business owners! I thought that was neat! But truth be told I couldn't think of anything that I like to do that I would charge for! LOL I explained if I did a business it it would have to be something I am passionate about and that list is small- traveling, teaching, goal setting, vision boards, and conflict resolution. Full stop!

Nothing fancy or earth shattering like their ideas but I got to thinking the things I am good at that other people struggle with. I am often criticized for my "lists" but in looking at my track record if I set a goal on one of my "lists" I hunt it down and make it happen by any means necessary and not everyone can do that. People get stuck. I specialize in results (LOL) to quote Toni Childs from Girlfriends!

People pay people to help them get results! Heck I pay a personal trainer to help me shape up, a house keeper to clean my home, a mechanic to fix my baby Justice, a chef/restaurant to give me good food, etc, etc, etc.,  I pay people GOOD MONEY help me to do things I want to get done but can't do alone or don't have the skills to do on my own. Same concept here!

So with that the idea of  From Theory to Practice Consulting, LLC was born!

My plan is to provide assistance on the journey toward living your best life ever! Hope Oprah doesn't sue me for that lol but the idea is to help people with life skills by providing coaching with identifying and achieving personal and professional goals. Another aspect of my consulting will be to provide conflict management and  resolution services and training. Although they seem disconnected living your best life is about learning and growing and I think both go hand in hand. Conflict is everywhere but learning how to resolve (at best) and manage conflict leads you to the same place as setting and achieving goals... The way I see it both provide win/win outcomes for everyone involved whether its getting a new job that helps you provide a better life for your family, losing weight to increase your self esteem and improve your health, or learning how to have better relationships by employing communication techniques such as active listening in your everyday interactions...they all lead you to the same place which is living your best life!

Well that's my pitch! :-) I will report back about Saturday! I am so excited! I have a little over 20 people who have pre-paid and 5 who contacted me later and I will add them! My goal was 15 so I am happy! Things just fell into place so effortlessly! Even the venue an art studio which is the PERFECT space for this activity! The artist just offered to co-host because she had it on her To Do List! How awesome is that?! Law of Attraction at work people!!!

Anyway I will promise to report back about my workouts *gulp* that I have not planned *blush* but I will get something in. Its been over a week and nada I been going home and sleeping mostly but I pinky swear I will get something in this weekend without fail!

On another positive note I have been so inspired by the new business that I finally did a new vision board! Check me out! :-)

2012 An Amazing Year!

Happy Valentine's Day

Well its already February 14, 2012! This makes me think of my Only One Pound Poem! I am down a bit but nothing to write home about and truth me told my weight keeps going up and down the same 5 pounds anyway so I can't keep track of when I am ahead or behind lol At this point my 37 by 37 goal is...well let me check humph I am 38 pounds away from my goal lol Oh snap how'd that happen?! Well I am 19 weeks away from my birthday so that's 1.9 pounds a week needed to make goal. Doable.

Well that brings me to my current situation! I am going on a crash diet! Yeahh yeahh I know crash diets are bad but I feel like I need to jolt my system! I will also start juicing since the machine is still just sitting there in my kitchen still unopened but here's the diet!

Only things you can drink – water and no more than one cup of decaf coffee or tea a day

One glass of warm water and freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed.

Restricted diet – only fresh fruits and raw vegetables. Fish cooked only in Olive oil with mild seasoning. I’ve added gluten free pasta and rice just to give me some variety.
...
No dairy (cheese, milk, butter, nada) and only egg whites.

The person who shared this with me said she dropped 3 inches of my waist that week. I'm game! I will start Monday!

I haven't worked out since sometime last week. I am in a funky mood Beres Fan and I called it quits. :-( In a way I am sad but on the other hand gotta "Bless and release" what isn't meant to be, to be open for what is. After the holidays I should not have re-opened the door. But you live and learn or something like that!

I had already planned an evening out with friends because I won free tickets to a comedy show tonight. I am looking forward to that but I swear whats a girl to do? Well I'll tell you what I am doing I emailed that Matchmaker I talked about (from last June who now has a show in the works with Oprah! Can't I pick 'em! Dang I hope his prices are the same lol) and I have resorted to consulting an online psychic a friend referred me to. Yup that's where we are with this lol Don't judge me! I know that is judgement worthy but its Valentine's Day so leave me be!

I will be honest I dunno when I am going to the gym again. I'mma keep it real! I made an executive decision to not do the boot camp the traffic afterwards is too heavy for me to deal with. Plus it just added unnecessary stress in terms of the commute. So I have plans tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday. Friday is the night before my big Vision Board party so I'll be taking care of last minutes things for that. I will probably workout Saturday morning with my trainer to put me in the right mood. Attitude is everything so I know exercise  is key!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the death of Whitney Huston! So sad sooo very sad. I was not a huge Whitney fan I did see her once and I am glad I had that experience but man addiction is no joke. Of course everyone is saying let's not speculate but untimely we all watched her. I have a friend who said her client got offended when she compared her addiction to food to his addiction to drugs. But I disagree! There is a comparison to be made! I mean I can't tell anyone how to feel about their addiction but in a lot of ways a food addiction is worst because you have to eat! You don't have to smoke crack or drink likka to live but you do need to eat to survive! I told her studies showed that the same chemical reaction in the brain that is triggered from drugs happens in others with chocolate.  http://www.brainhealthandpuzzles.com/brain_effects_chocolate.html That being said I need to get back on my Weight Watchers grind. I know for me weight loss is a multi faceted approach and the meeting help me a lot.  So Saturday I'll face the scale before the gym!

Anyhoo Happy Valentine's Day and try not to eat too much chocolate! :-)

7 Days...540 minutes...and 4,685 calories later...

Well Week 1 of my 1,000 Calories Burned per day Exercise Challenge results are in! After 7 whole days I burned a total of 4,685 calories as a result of working out a total of 540 minutes which equals 9 hours! That's more than 1 hour a day! Not bad, not bad!  I had a lot of challenges last week workout wise but what I did was maximize the days I was able to workout. Tuesdays are my long days where I commute to DC, work 8 hours then commute to Baltimore, then teach. So that is my biggest challenge! Well that and my active social life :-)

I made up the time over the course of the week and got some really great workouts in. I also mixed it up a lot: two Personal training sessions, spin class, zumba, the treadmill at home, and even the Chizel It class! A nice mix! I need to build on this week's success so I signed up for Charles's Chizel It Boot camp! 5 weeks, 2 classes per week at 5:30am, for $70! You can't beat that!

Today was the first day and I made it! I talked my friend into going with me and she is SO not a morning person but she made it through! It was a nice mix of cardio and weights and I burned 500 calories and headed out. This is my longgg day but I want to keep the goal going. Depending on what I am doing, 1000 calories is about 2 hours of working out. Needless to say if I did straight cardio I would burn a lot more faster. For example last week I did 60 minutes on the treadmill and burned 700 calories! Meanwhile my personal training with mostly weights & some burst of cardio was about 600. But the benefits of weight training is I do see my clothing size go down rather quickly. I can't say it enough. Weight training and cardio is where its at!

I snapped a pic of the 1,908 calories I burned on my Heart rate Monitor b/c I thought it was cute and it just happened to be good timing LOL As you can tell from my heart rate 156 I was WORKING IT OUT!!! I love having a HRM its really reminds me how hard I have to work for say a snickers bar! So not worth it! Knowledge is power! Not that I haven't been tempted or fell into temptation over the past week but I have been way more mindful! As the saying goes progress not perfection!

In other news things are going well with AKA, Junior League, work, school, teaching, etc., etc., etc.! Beres Fan and I spent 1.5 hours on the phone last night to which he sent me a text to say that was a new record for him lol I actually like our short phone calls b/c I can think of so many guys who would talk for hours and hours and things would go nowhere! Like they just wanted a phone buddy! That was a bit frustrating and confusing lol but anyway all is well on that front! We had a good convo. We are SO different yet both so spoiled and hard headed. LOL but he makes me happy despite I need to control everything! I made a comment about "..its the thought that counts" then in the next breath I made a smart comment about some blackberry flower text he sent me. Welllll he was quick to say "Didn't you just say its the thought that counts?!" I told him "Clearly that is different..." and we moved on LOL Check and mate lol

A/w I saw a groupon for paintball and told him about it and he is game so we will check that out this spring lol he's cute! We had that dreading weight loss conversation where I am a girlie girl and say I want to lose weight and he says no I like you the way you are. I guess I should see it as a good thing. It could be the opposite with unwanted pressure and criticism to lose weight. So I guess I'll add that and him to my gratitude journal today! Anyhoo Valentine's Day is coming up and he is so not a planner whereas I plan everything! Like seriously I have lists upon lists of my plans but he sounded like he wanted to wing it but I guess my tone suggested a plan was mandatory so he suggested a sushi for dinner...I won free tickets to a comedy show so that'll be my gift to him lol   :-P

Anywayyyy! This week same ole madness!
Monday- Personal Training & Chizel It class-Done!
Tuesday- I did bootcamp! -Done!
Wed-Spinning
Thursday-Bootcamp & I have a friend's birthday happy hour that night
Friday-Part 2 of the same friend's birthday happy hour- not sure about working out at all
Saturday- Chapter meeting-- Gym maybe 8:30am spinning class
Sunday -2/3 hours at the gym
Monday- Trainer & Chizel it class!

With all this working out it is making me work harder on the diet side! After bootcamp I packed my food for the entire day! It took maybe 6 minutes and well I need to be more proactive and plan my meals more! I actually had a few grapes, blueberries, and nuts already at work. And I actually found a new snack I will post about in a few weeks but below find (aside from my huge case files lol)
sugar free jello, Chobani greek yogurt, pistachios, prepacked salad, Special K protein shake, a banana, orange, ready snack with grapes, pretzels, and cheese, two 100 calorie pop corn (one butter the other kettle corn), an orange, and my new (work inspired) southwest sausage and veggie soup!  (recipe below)

Southwest Turkey Sausage & Veggie Soup
1 box of chicken broth
1 can black beans
1 frozen pack of southwest veggies (black beans, corn, peppers, & onions)
1 can diced tomatoes with oregano and garlic
5-6 red potatoes
2 large links of Turkey sausage
5-6 cloves fresh garlic
mushrooms
black pepper, garlic powder, and fajita seasoning packet
*If you prefer extra spicy add additional peppers to your taste!

Place red potatoes in a pot to boil for 30 minutes. Combine everything in a crock pot for 40 minutes and serve! Hearty yet low cal meal!


I'll check in soon!