Days 9 and 10… and then some

Sooooooo updating my blog is apparently not my strong suit! This cleanse ended with a success, 11 pounds in 10 days. After that, however, I did go back to eating sugar, but c’mon, it’s HALLOWEEN! Okay, it was Halloween last Friday, and yes, I’m still eating candy… but tomorrow I have a plan, which involves eating more fruit and avoiding sugar. I know if I can make it through one day, I can continue on.

I won Overall Best Costume in my company’s Halloween Costume Contest! YESSSSS! I think bleaching my hair earned me extra votes! I’m going to stay blonde, and actually, after some feedback from my coworkers, my new plan is to perform as a Marilyn Monroe tribute artist! It will be in a while though, I’m planning on having my second baby before I start performing, so I can use that time to practice songs, acquire my wardrobe, shoes, and makeup, and get ready to entertain people at the fabulous Marilyn Monroe! I have a lot to learn about her and her life, and I’m looking forward to it! And, it gives me great inspiration to get in better shape. Here’s photos:

10-Day Cleanse – Day 5, 6 7, and 8

Sometimes, as a full-time working mother of an 18-month-old, finding time to blog can be challenging (he’s on my lap right now and I’m typing one-handed). But today is Saturday, so that means it’s time to update you on my progress! I’ve reached my 10-pound goal, with three days to spare! Here’s the photo documentation:

I felt very tired the past couple of days, I think because I only drank two drinks, even though I supplemented with fruit and avocados, Yesterday I drank all three drinks and had some grapes, and I still lost almost a pound! It might be because I slept in this morning, so I won’t be surprised if my weight doesn’t go down much tomorrow. I’ve also been amazed by my cravings. I really thought a 10-day cleanse would be easier than a 30- or 60-day cleanse, but each cleanse has its own set of challenges. I definitely feel so much better than I did a week ago. I love feeling healthy!!

Ten-Day Cleanse – Day 4

Yeah, down another pound! I definitely felt hungry today, but the feeling does pass, and I stayed well hydrated. Actually ended up only drinking two drinks today, then eating an avocado with my baby because when I got home it was too late to make a drink (didn’t want to be up peeing ALL NIGHT). Going to bed with the baby. Good night!

Ten-Day Cleanse – Day 3

Oh, man, I feel great today! My head hurt only very occasionally when I bent over. But really, walking faster and with more bounce. The difference between today and Saturday night is tremendous. I need to blog fast because I’ve got a lil 18-month-old who doesn’t particularly like Mommy tapping away at the computer. Daddy’s changing his diaper (thanks, Babe!) so I’ve got maybe two more minutes!

I noticed that I did feel hungry today, but drinking water helped a lot. I also noticed how much I would have liked to eat rice, chicken, and veggies that hubby made for dinner, which is a surprise, because lately I would have preferred take-out fast food! So the cleanse is great for cleansing the palate. Simple, wholesome foods become really enticing. I’m looking forward to rice and lentils! And, wow, I lost 1.2 pounds! I ate a little bit of the last avocado today, but other than that stayed on plan and drank a lot of water. I am amazed by how good I feel already. Maybe its the contrast of being so sick on Saturday, but golly, I feel good. Good enough to say “Golly!”, lol!

Ten-Day Cleanse – Day 2

Woo, down four pounds! I attribute that to releasing a lot of water weight. I had just loaded on a bunch of delicious pizza and wings the night before. What’s amazing is I can really feel a difference already! I feel like my feet are less bloated!

Today I drank plenty of water. It does make you have to pee like a million times but that’s because you’re also releasing toxins.

SPEAKING OF TOXINS OMG last night I went to a concert, and left my water in the car ::head smack:: so by the time I got home (after having circled the parking lot quite a few times looking for my car) I had an intense headache that lasted all night and into the morning. Dehydration while detoxing is not recommended. Although, it may also be related to (sorry if this is TMI) mastitis (inflammation of breast due to plugged duct). So, that’s been fun. Anyway, I’m feeling so incredibly much better today!

I did deviate slightly by eating some bites of frozen fruit I shared with my toddler, and then an avocado. And then some coconut water. I had meant to follow the cleanse as faithfully as possible this round (three to four drinks per day, no solids) but I feel that it is a crime to throw away avocados because they’ve gone past their prime. So, you see, I had to eat it. If my weight loss stalls significantly tomorrow, I’ll make sure that I stay on-plan. Feeling great, though! I really enjoyed my chocolate-blackberry-pineapple drink tonight! It was thick and cold, like a milkshake!!

Ten-Day Cleanse – Day 1

I’m doing a ten-day cleanse! I really went waaaaay off my eating plan (sugar should be a controlled substance) and I put on 20 pounds since I ended my last cleanse! My goal for this ten day cleanse is to lose 10+ pounds and eat mindfully when I return to normal eating. I can do this!

I was planning on doing a 30-day cleanse in October, but I’m conserving my finances for a probably move in January (we’ll be renting a house! Room for another baby!). AND I’m going all out for my Halloween costume this year. I WANT TO WIN my company’s costume contest! So taking off a few pounds and getting un-bloated will definitely help.

Thanks to my coworker, Anna, who asked, “What’s your blog address again?” a few days ago, as I was stuffing my face full of donuts.

Here’s my feet from this morning:

Day 1

And here’s a few photos of my drink process from this morning:

I start by putting juice and/or water (today it was blackberry juice and water), then stuff 3-4 big handfulls of greens, two bananas, and fill it to the top with fruit. Then I blend it, and add protein powder. Blend again, until it’s the consistency that I want it, and voila, breakfast and lunch (and a little snack for hubby and baby). After that, I fill my Vitamix halfway with water with a drop or two of soap and blend on high for about a minute to clean it. So easy! I’ll check in again tomorrow. Feeling good so far!

Exclusively Lucy is back!

My, my, how time flies. I am happy to say I’ve found my footing. I’ve decided that I am choosing what I want each moment. I started with my dining room table:

Ahh… Serenity…

It’s… so lovely… I am taking a stand for order and making it a habit to pick up every day. I feel that I’ll have more energy when clutter is abolished. But, I’m doing it in stages. First, the table. Then, the Microwave Desk. And so on, ending with THE DEN. The Den (ominous shudder) is the second room that we crammed all of our stuff into when we moved here eight months ago. I’ve got four days off at the end of August, and I intend to finally turn that terrifying death-trap into a functional and peaceful space. However, my plan involves working up to that point by establishing a routine to keep the rest of the house in order. My husband and I just sorted laundry on our sparkling dining room table! 

Achieving goals feels good.

Here is an image I designed based on a quote from an awesome book that is helping me become mindful (thank you, work book club), called Search Inside Yourself.

You know I love designing quotes.

This quote refers to the ability to distance oneself from one’s emotions by recognizing that emotions are ephemeral phenomena of the body. I’ve found it quite helpful in enabling choice in my life. 

 

Today’s Mantra:

I am doing the best I can, and it is enough. 

THE RESULTS!

In 60 days: 35.2 pounds lost. 5″ gone from hips and belly, 4″ from my waist and 3.5″ from my chest! So, wow! I exceeded my goals in terms of size, but I ended a little heavier than I had hoped, but actually since I’m smaller that just means I have more muscle! This was the quickest and most enjoyable way of losing weight I’ve ever tried, and I’m actually looking forward to my next 30 day cleanse later this year (probably mid August or September). My ultimate goals are within reach! Now I just need to maintain my results. 🙂

07/04/2014 – Day 60! Last Day of this cleanse!

So, I tried posting yesterday and the day before with no success after the big update. So today I’m using my slightly newer PC laptop instead of my elderly Macintosh with hopes that this post will stick!

You may have noticed that my weight is now 163. Woohoo! It may be because I had an avocado last night instead of a third drink because I got home too late, or because I weighed myself later in the day than usual today (thank you, Baby, for sleeping in!), but wha-ev-ah I’ll take it!

Feeling really good about eating solid foods tomorrow, but MAN do I want to eat now too! Just a few more hours really. And I’ll post all my results tomorrow. 🙂

 

07/01/2014 – Day 57

I am zen about my weight!

Hello! I have decided that my results are spectacular and that my body may have leveled out and I have accepted it! …And I almost fit into my size 10 work pants! Almost. I’m pretty sure if I don’t get really bloated when getting off the cleanse I will fit into them in a matter of weeks. My goal is to maintain the 30+ pound loss for a month or so, then go on another 30 day cleanse! I’ve reached a point where I feel so wonderful that keeping my health optimal outweighs excuses. So I’ll continue to eat healthfully, with room for some less optimal choices (Papadeaux, Red Lobster, Olive Garden… oh, those commercials…)(and I also have Burger King and Sweet Tomatoes coupons taped to my kitchen cupboards…) I’ve completely hit my goal for this cleanse in terms of size. I was hoping to end is size 12s, and the fact that I can foresee fitting into 10s so soon is just gravy!

My husband and I love to eat out. LOVE IT. We have spent a good amount on meals because we love to eat. And omigod Cow Appreciation Day is so close! We will feast on Chic-Fil-A! This year I’m making my Cowstume the best yet.

Lol… the Photoshop filter I use is called box blur…