How long has it been since your meal left you bloated, tired and unmotivated, while simultaneously deflating your self esteem? A day ago, a meal back? Well, if you read last weeks blog--and I know you have-- you can know that it only been a short time for me. In fact, as I get back into the groove, the first order of business is to re adjusting my food.
Did you know that food is 80% of the weight loss struggle? Well it is! Your exercise takes up the other 20% of your success, so, you can see why food is so important.
Now, if you've done this re start a few times yourself, you've no doubt felt the discouragement that comes with having to do it again! I guess most of us imagine we never have to go through this happening but once in our life. But let me encourage you; this journey is often not always just a one trip down around the bend. For those of us with food addictions, we may find ourselves needing to take a step back to the basics many times over. There's no shame in this! Don't even let yourself dwell in that dark place of failure. In stead, let an understanding and a desire to keep living a healthy life re motivate and set forth a plan forward. And it's with a rejuvenated spirit that I wanted to come on here today and share some of the re starts I've begun, in hopes it inspires you in your journey.
Breakfast proteins shakes; it's what for breakfast! That's right, TL and I have been shaking it up every morning with "Designer's Lite and Natural Protein shakes," chocolate flavor of course, and with the addition of fresh fruit and Crazy Richards Natural Peanut butter, it's a yummy start to the day. (PSST - We eat a hot sit down meal on the weekend!) Both of use feel this lite but filling start during the week helps kick off our day, leaving that bloated and lazy feeling aside. Trust me, add a light workout to your morning, and you will be ready to take on the world.
Now during the day, water, water, water, greens, fruit and protein need to be in your meal plane. And if your're like me, not a big fan of veggies, I've got a great way to make asparagus as good as candy! Well, not really. But! You will want to eat it--and that's the point!
The secret? BRAGGS!
Braggs Amino liquids is the product that put veggies back on my plate. It tastes a lot like soy sauce, which I love, but without all the salt and processed ingredients, Braggs will help you eat those greens. It's not a requirement, but I practically float my veggies in it while steaming them up on the stove--yum!
Now the old Dan, you remember him, that 650 pound fella? He thought food only consisted of burgers, pizza, pasta, friend chicken, est; the comfort foods was all I knew. I rarely ate fruit and NEVER ate vegetables. Understanding there was no way I could loss the weight I needed, well over 300 pounds, I had to find a way to color my plate. Fruit wasn't so hard. It wasn't like I hated them, I just never took the time to organize my foods. But the greens took some creativity and BRAGGS did that for me. Give it a try!
In fact, you may have already noticed that many of these items that I'm talking about today have been added to the boarders of my site; for your shopping convenience as well as my belief in the products. May they help you as they have me.
Now, for the past few weeks, I've reverted back to the only way of eating I've found that allows me to feel better, physically and mentally, in a very short period of time. It's called PALEO. And because I do not like the "D" word, we'll just say this way of eating, much like my journey's re start, is a way to get back to the basics. It's all about avoiding fast food, processed foods, ie, food in a bag, box or can. I'm eating everything fresh, low salt, no sugars, and if you take the time to look into online help forms, like Pinterest, as well as the many cook books available on this subject, you will find it's not so difficult to maintain and the food options are many.
(Hint: don't be afraid to allow yourself one free day a weekend to eat what you wish! If you are doing it right all week, one day won't hurt.)
I remember when I was in the middle of phase one of my journey, I had reached a plateau where the scale just wouldn't move! I was going nuts in the gym and controlling my food like a maniac but the weight wouldn't come off. My then instructor and friend, Thomas, suggested Paleo for one month, and I lost 20 pounds in 29 days! I'm a firm believer in the process, not just to shock your body into dumping some weight but as a way life and getting back to your goals.
So, if you are like me, and you need to get back to the zone, what are you waiting for? Now's the time; join me! I'd love to hear about your journey, comment below or just email me your thoughts. And don't forget the secret to it all, loving yourself, because when you love someone, you want the best for them and that's what we all deserve--the best.
PEACE
Dan
Ghost Blogger, Patricia Garber
