Quick Update

I'm still on my road to being sugar free and feeling great. I feel at home following the principles that Bill Phillips has taught me over the past year or so. I'm doing great staying connected with my accountability partner and keeping up with my workouts. I'm in a very strong place mentally and I feel good.

I'm still very appreciative of the work that Jorge Cruise does, and his message about living a sugar free lifestyle is an important one. I have made the decision not to continue with the fast track he put together, as it was bringing up some issues with an old mindset that I have been treating for the past year+. It was in no way the fault of his program, it has to do with me and I'm grateful for being able to recognize my old lower level habits as they tried so hard to resurface.

I've started a photo journal of my food. I'm finding that taking pictures of each of my meals really holds me accountable to what I'm putting in my body and my portion size. It has made a tremendous difference in my day. I'm really watching labels for those added sugars and making some great substitutions for my family.

Keep strong everyone! I look forward to continuing my journey here in my blog.

Right Nutrition

After listening to Bill on his live radio show last night and completing assignment #3 from Transformation, I have decided that I'm definitely going to continue my quest to avoid added sugars, artificial sweeteners, white flour etc. However, my plan won't be as strict as the Fast Track is laid out. As a recovering binge eater there is a lot that I need to be careful of in how I do things.

My assignment #3 is as follows:

An example of a healthy day's nutrition based on my goals, preferences and schedule look like this:

M1 - Right Light Ready to drink meal replacement
M2 - Apple and string cheese
M3 - Fresh Raw veggie salad with chicken
M4 - Eating For Life Protein Shake
M5 - Salmon, Brussels Sprouts, Brown Rice
M6 - Eating For Life Banana Pudding

Someone I can share my nutrition with at the beginning of the week or each evening so they can help keep me accountable is:

My accountability partner, Justin.

Struggling, or am I?

This past weekend I had a fabulous weekend surrounded by great friends and spending some quality time one on one with one of my daughters.

Friday night my daughter and I went to the expo to pick up our race packets and had a lot of fun walking through all of the booths, taking pictures and laughing a lot. After the expo we went out for dinner and as I mentioned in an earlier blog, I stayed on track with the fast track plan.

On Saturday my daughter and I met with a large group of friends from Transformation. They have become like a 2nd family to me over the past year and we had a fantastic time. Dr. Karen, who I have previously attended 2 seminars, and who is also a member of Transformation was with us and gave us the honor of speaking to us for a little over an hour about the importance of going sugar free. I learned so much and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity for this intimate setting where we could really interact with her. After listening to Dr. Karen we all went out to dinner together and yet again, I stayed true to the fast track meal plan.

On Sunday my daughter and I, along with all of our friends, participated in the PF Changs 1/2 marathon. It would be an understatement to say we had a great time! The fellowship and connection between all of us is very powerful. It was an amazing experience watching my daughter complete her first 1/2 marathon. On this day I didn't stay true to the fast track. It was a very warm Phoenix day and I took advantage of the Cytomax they were giving out at each water station. After the race we all met for lunch and I did not stick to the fast track plan.

This week I have really been struggling to get back on track, the fast track that is. My qwest to become sugar free is still very important to me. I'm looking for that balance and I'm still a student and learning how to make this all work for me. I also realize it's unhealthy for me to get back in old patterns of wanting to lose weight "fast" which is one of the reasons I was drawn to the fast track. I have to keep my health in mind and continue to make the best choices for me on all levels.

This week I'm working on assignment #3 in the book Transformation, which just so happens to be the chapter/assignment on nutrition. I'm going to spend some time this evening reading the chapter again and see if I can organize my thoughts a little on this subject. I will post my answers to the assignment here when I complete it.

Cauliflower Pizza

Hello everyone! Tomorrow morning I'll post about my recent experience with the 1/2 marathon. I thought I'd share the cauliflower pizza recipe that I tried tonight. While it was ok, I think it needs a little more experimenting with the crust. I need to compare it to Amber's recipe and see what the difference is, if any. However, it did satisfy me and I was able to enjoy it with my glass of red wine. I found this recipe on the web and did not create it. :)

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

1 cup cooked riced cauliflower

1 egg

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

pizza sauce (I used 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce and sprinkled with Italian seasoning and garlic powder)

toppings

mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 450'

Spray cooking sheet with pam

In a medium bowl combine cauliflower, egg, and cheese.

Press evenly on the pan (like a thin crust pizza).

Bake at 450' for 12 - 15 minutes

Remove the pan from oven.

Add sauce, toppings and cheese.

Place under broiler until cheese is melted.

Quick Post before a busy weekend

Hey everyone! I just need to document a few things quick.

I need to incorporate more green veggies in with my meals. Had a really busy day away from home so didn't get all of my meals in.

Fitness: 20 minutes cardio bike = 4 miles

Nutrition:
Coffee with heavy cream and truvia
1 sausage pattie
Sauerkraut and beef frank
parmesan crisp
Dinner at Friday's = sizzling chicken and shrimp....had them substitute the mashed potatoes with steamed broccoli and only ate a couple of bites of the chicken but at all 6 pieces of small shrimp. There was a little bit of fresh marinara in the center of the dish which I avoided.
5oz glass of red wine with dinner (Mondavi Cabernet)
Then 5oz glass of wine at home (Bogle Cabernet)

Fluids: Water, Oolong Tea, Green Tea, Coffee, Red Wine

My daughter wanted to taste a square of my dark chocolate that I haven't opened yet so I took a tiny pinch about a 1/4 the size of my pinky nail and tasted it.

I had said I wasn't going to have red wine on this day but I did.

The scale says that I'm down another .8 for a total of 7 pounds in 5 days.

Friday ~ The weekend is here!

During 2010 I struggled on the weekends. I was usually able to follow my eating plan fairly well all week long but then come Friday night I really just wanted to wind down with my husband over a couple of margarita's and some chips and salsa. This would often spiral into a weekend of poor choices.

I'm so amazed at how my cravings have vanished so soon! I'm really enjoying my meals and I think just knowing I get that little reward at the end of each day is all I need. I have no desire to be a dummy this weekend and go off the plan. This is exciting!

This afternoon my daughter and I will attend the Expo to pick up our race packets for the 1/2 marathon this Sunday. We aren't racing, just walking, but it's going to be a thrill to be with her as she completes her first one. We will be attending a carb loading dinner with friends but I have already scoped out the menu of the restaurant and there are a few sugar free meals that I can choose from. Most likely it will be grilled chicken and veggies. I will drink a protein shake just before the race on Sunday and I will carry some nuts for my fuel so I can pass up all the goos, gels and sports drinks along the route.

I'm really excited to remain sugar free this weekend. I'm feeling really good and sleeping really well at night.

Yesterday, I did a terrible job at pre-planning my meals. I had a super busy day and pretty much had to "wing it" all day long. In the past that would have been setting myself up for failure but without the cravings it really wasn't that bad. However, I know how risky not planning is from past experience so I will be sure to do better with the planning from now on.

My fitness:
20 minutes bike cardio first thing upon waking = 4 miles

Fluids:
Water, Coffee, Oolong Tea, Red Wine (I did much better with my water consumption. I didn't overdo it but had plenty.)

Nutrition:
Coffee with heavy cream and truvia
Right Light nutrition shake.
Small plate of assorted cheeses (babybell, pepperjack, swiss) and a couple of small slices of roast beef.
Raw pumpkin seeds
Sauerkraut and a beef frank.
Two 5oz glasses of red wine.

Today I need to be sure and add more veggies and I'm skipping the wine for the next 2 nights and will enjoy some dark chocolate!

This morning the scale was the same as yesterday, so still a 6.2 pound loss in 4 days.

Day 3 done....Day 4 here I come!

So yesterday was day 3 for me. I had been warned by a few who have already cut sugar from their diet that day 3 was the hardest for them. I honestly didn't notice. I did get a little tired after dinner but that's nothing new for me.

Day 3:
20 minutes of bike cardio = 4 miles

Fluids: Water, coffee, oolong tea, red wine (need to increase my water today)

Nutrition:
1/2 cup coffee with heavy cream and truvia
1 slice of bacon/chive/spinach/gruyere quiche, with a few dashes of tabasco
3 oz of steak strips and green bell pepper with a few dashes of tabasco + 1 small avocado
2 babybell cheeses and 1 slice of pepperjack cheese
Baked Tilapia (1/2 of a filet), green salad (butter lettuce and romaine) with cucumber and celery, with just a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar and olive oil
1 serving of "candied" pecans
Two 5oz glasses of red wine (Bogle Cabernet)

My scale after 3 days was down another .6 lbs for a total of 6.2 lbs....will increase my H2O today to be sure I'm not stalling with the weight loss.