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.

Quick "Candied" Pecans

1 serving of Pecans, a small handful
1/2 a pat of butter
2 packets of Truvia
Light dusting of cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a small pan over medium heat. Stir frequently to evenly coat pecans with all ingredients for about 5 minutes until pecans are fragrant and evenly coated. The coating will be very light. Pour out on a little plate to cool and enjoy.

Best to make one serving at a time to avoid eating too many.

A Little Victory!

Good morning! Day 3 is here and I'm feeling GREAT!

First thing in the morning I woke up and did 20 minutes on my recumbant bike = 4miles.
Jorge wants us to follow his walking program but I live at the base of a mountain with both mountain lions and coyotes. Going outside for a 4AM walk in the dark with the animals isn't going to happen for me. I follow his routine the best I can on my bike.

Meals:
1 cup of coffee with heavy cream and Truvia
1 slice of bacon, egg, and gruyere quiche (with chives and spinach) a little tabasco added
8 black olives
2 small slices of very thin roast beef and 2 thin slices of deli swiss cheese, creating 4 roll ups
1 cheddar cheese stick & 1 babybell cheese
5oz steak strips and sauteéd green bell pepper (sauteéd in real butter). The steak was seasoned with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, fresh ground black pepper and sea salt. Served with 1/2 of a ripe avocado and a few dashes of tabasco on the side.
Two 5oz glasses of red wine (Bogle Cabernet)

Beverages other than coffee and red wine = water and one glass of iced oolong tea sweetened with Truvia

I'm down another 2 pounds for a total of 5.6 pounds

In addition to The Fast Track program, I am going through the 18 steps of Transformation again. I have completed the first step and will finish step 2 this week.

So yesterday after I picked my little boy up from school I had a couple of stops to make before coming home. One was at Walgreen's to find Macadamia nuts. I can't find them anywhere around here and didn't have any luck there either. I did find a good deal on pecans so I picked up 2 packages of them. After having my toasted pecan treat on day one I was really looking forward to having them again on day 2. However, I knew in order to have them I would need to skip my afternoon snack. As we were getting ready to check out at Walgreens I was suddenly feeling very hungry. We made our trip to the market for a few more items and then home. I was REALLY hungry at this point and it was still a couple of hours until dinner. I knew my plan to save my afternoon snack for later was out the window, so I grabbed some cheese and felt satisfied. A little later I began making dinner and kept asking myself if I was going to have an extra snack on this day and have those pecans. I ate my dinner with a big glass of iced water and felt extremely satisfied. After I finished cleaning the kitchen it was time to wind down with my red wine treat. For a second I thought about those pecans but I no longer felt like I "needed" them. Victory was mine. :)

Crustless Quiche Recipe

Says that it serves 4 but it's more like 6 servings to me.


10-Inch Pyrex pie pan buttered

1 TBSP of chopped fresh organic chives
1 cup of fresh organic spinach, chopped
1 1/2 cups of Gruyere cheese, shredded
4 pieces of cooked and crumbled bacon
9 eggs
1 cup of heavy cream
Fresh ground black pepper
1/3 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese


Preheat oven to 350' F.

Line the bottom of the pan with chives and spinach.

Distribute the Gruyere and Bacon evenly over the spinach mixture.

Mix the remaining ingredients (except for the parmesan cheese) and pour over the spinach mixture.

Bake in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.

Take foil and wrap it around the edges of your pan and quiche so that only the center is still exposed.

Bake for 15 minutes longer or until center is set.

I add a little tabasco to my slice before eating. :) Enjoy!

Feeling great already???

Yesterday I managed to get through the day without one craving or temptation to overeat. I think I finally have it! I know, I know, that it's early in the game but this just feels so right. I'm so pumped!

My food for day one was:
1 cup of coffee with heavy cream and Truvia
1 slice of bacon, egg, and gruyere quiche (with chives and spinach)
8 black olives
2 small slices of very thin roast beef and 2 thin slices of deli swiss cheese, creating 4 roll ups
4oz grilled chicken breast seasoned with garlic powder and topped with one thin slice of melted swiss cheese. 4oz of sliced mushrooms sauteéd in a dab of real butter. Steamed fresh asparagus, unseasonsed.
Two 5oz glasses of red wine (Arrow Creek Cabernet)
1 serving of pecans toasted with 1 packet of Truvia, a tiny dab of real butter and a little cinnamon.

Beverages other than the coffee and red wine = Water

Scale says I'm down 3.6 pounds after day one.

My journey continues...

I spent the year 2010 Transforming. I became an active member of Transformation.com created by Bill Phillips, author of Body For Life, Eating For Life, and most recently, Transformation. I have completed the 18 steps in his new book and through that process I shed 20 pounds of fat and many years of inner garbage. I'm now at one of the happiest points in my life and truly know how it feels to live for the moment. I have learned so much over the past year about health and wellness. It has been an honor to meet Mr. Phillips on 3 different occassions in 2010. I completed my first 1/2 marathon in 2010 and really connected with myself on a physical level, pushing myself to limits I didn't know existed within me. I was also able to overcome a 20 year addiction to diet pills and as a recovering binge eater I haven't visited a fast food establishment in over a year.

One of my goals for 2011 is to give up sugar. After spending the past few months researching the subject and mentally preparing myself, I have signed up for a 4 week Fast Track program with Jorge Cruise, author of The Belly Fat Cure, to eliminate sugar from my diet. Today was my first day on the program and I feel absolutely wonderful. I'm not lacking energy or craving anything! I know at this point I'm so motivated and excited and that's likely what is carrying me, but I'm very hopeful that with the mindset Mr. Phillips has helped me create, I'm going to kick this sugar addiction and become the healthiest I have ever been in my life. I am excited to learn how to kick the sugar from Mr. Cruise and really excited to share my journey with you here. For the next four weeks (and possibly beyond) I will document my daily journey on becoming sugar free.

Welcome to my world!

xo
Robin