I decided to start out 2015 with a detox. I’ve been thinking about doing one for awhile. With the sugar cravings, the headaches, the random allergies (I get hives when I’m cold) my recent intolerance of NSAIDS, I figured it’s my body’s way of telling me I need to change. Years and years of too much sugar, processed foods and taking way too much ibuprofen has polluted my body enough, and its time for a good clean out and new habits. I like the idea of a good clean out. Out with the old, in with the new.
There are lots of cleanses to choose from, and I wasn’t quite sure where to start. Go to any grocery store and you’ll easily find cleanses and detoxes in the diet or supplement isle. Type in "detox" to Google and you'll have an endless supply of links to choose from. Then there is the one I’ve heard some people rave about called the Master Cleanse. People rave about it because its cheap and produces great results (super weight loss). But when I looked into it, I saw that it is essentially drinking water with lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, and taking a laxative at night. Hmmm, starve myself and have horrible diarrhea? I’m sure I’d lose weight, but that’s just not up my alley.
During Brian’s preschool Christmas party, there were several different baskets that you could put raffle tickets in for. Movie tickets, spa day, wine and cheese, etc. I noticed there was one without quite as many tickets and it was a 7-Day cleanse with a protein smoothie supplement. I thought I’d play my chances and threw a couple of raffle tickets in there. For $1/raffle ticket, it couldn’t hurt. Well, I won! Yay! So I took the package home with me and read the pamphlet that came with it. I could eat certain foods. Twice a day I’d drink the smoothie, which had protein to help keep me full and other ingredients that help in liver function. There’s a list of “yes” foods and serving sizes for each food. I actually decided to bend the rules and give myself bigger portion sized. Really, the size of my pinkie for a fat like avocado? Nope. If I’m cutting open an avocado, I’m gonna eat the whole thing. I wrote down the "yes foods" that I like and wrote a list of what types of meals I can have with my "yes foods". Egg and avocado for breakfast, smoothie for snack, sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, for lunch, smoothie for late-afternoon snack, salmon with asparagus over cauliflower mashed potatoes for dinner. This is just an example. I figured out lots of combos so I’d be prepared. That, plus 10-12 glasses of water a day.
So this morning I started. I also decided to add my own element, throwing apple cider vinegar to the mix. I’ve had luck in the past taking ACV. It's helped curb my sugar cravings and even give me a boost of energy. So I'll drink diluted ACV thirty minutes before my meals (not snacks).
For the first part of the day, I actually felt fine. I wasn’t hungry or tired. But right around 2, I crashed. My energy zapped and I felt weak and tired. I took a two hour nap (so thankful Hieu is home today to play with Brian) and woke up still feeling a little zapped. I know its to be expected. Especially from withdrawals of copious amounts of processed sugars and carbs, and not getting my caffeine fix. I’m contemplating adding some green tea into the mix just to keep me awake. Oh, and the smoothie? It’s disgusting. Really really gross. I pride myself in my ability to consume foreign foods and making myself enjoy them. It’s paid off when it comes to traveling and eating various different foods in other countries and even with my inlaws and Asian friends. I’ll eat it, tell myself its good and actually really enjoy it. I have not been able to do that yet with the smoothie. It feels strangely slimy and tastes like how I would imagine liquid plastic to taste. It’s awful. I’m hoping my “mind over matter” mentality will kick in and I’ll learn to like it. At least I’m tolerating it. But blech.
For the first part of the day, I actually felt fine. I wasn’t hungry or tired. But right around 2, I crashed. My energy zapped and I felt weak and tired. I took a two hour nap (so thankful Hieu is home today to play with Brian) and woke up still feeling a little zapped. I know its to be expected. Especially from withdrawals of copious amounts of processed sugars and carbs, and not getting my caffeine fix. I’m contemplating adding some green tea into the mix just to keep me awake. Oh, and the smoothie? It’s disgusting. Really really gross. I pride myself in my ability to consume foreign foods and making myself enjoy them. It’s paid off when it comes to traveling and eating various different foods in other countries and even with my inlaws and Asian friends. I’ll eat it, tell myself its good and actually really enjoy it. I have not been able to do that yet with the smoothie. It feels strangely slimy and tastes like how I would imagine liquid plastic to taste. It’s awful. I’m hoping my “mind over matter” mentality will kick in and I’ll learn to like it. At least I’m tolerating it. But blech.
Hieu is encouraging me to journal (I chose blogging) during my detox and overall weightloss journey. I am hoping to lose weight. The detox is the beginning, to jumpstart healthier eating habits. My plan is to eat better, to eat smaller portions and to get my addictions (specifically processed sugars) under control.
I knew my unhealthy habits were affecting me, but I didn’t realize just how much until I took the “before” picture (which I don't feel comfortable posting just yet). I was shocked. Sure, the scale said I’ve gained over 15lbs in the last year. Sure, my pooch has grown and I’ve had to buy larger sized jeans. Sure, my face looked a little puffier in our annual Christmas photos. But it wasn’t until I was exposed in a sports bra and tiny shorts that I SAW it. I saw love handles spilling over my shorts. I saw, what is that?! Back fat? I have back fat?! Yup.
I knew my unhealthy habits were affecting me, but I didn’t realize just how much until I took the “before” picture (which I don't feel comfortable posting just yet). I was shocked. Sure, the scale said I’ve gained over 15lbs in the last year. Sure, my pooch has grown and I’ve had to buy larger sized jeans. Sure, my face looked a little puffier in our annual Christmas photos. But it wasn’t until I was exposed in a sports bra and tiny shorts that I SAW it. I saw love handles spilling over my shorts. I saw, what is that?! Back fat? I have back fat?! Yup.
Its a wake up call. The weight has creeped up and me, and while I’ve noticed it, I didn’t realize just how much its been. While my husband has been dropping the pounds, I’ve been adding them. While he hasn’t been finishing everything on his plate, I’ve not only finished seconds and thirds on my plate, but finished what he hasn’t eaten on his.
Well, I’ve been woken up. I’m taking steps, and will continue to blog about my journey towards a healthier life.
