A recap...

Ok, I promise I didn't die! Work has been killer. School hasn't been killer, just time consuming. Let me give you a recap...

In the first week, I lost 7.2 lbs! Whoo-hoo! My headaches pretty much went away after the first few days (day 4 or 5 or so). The biggest adjustment for me was cooking. Like, lots of cooking (which also means lots of dishes, gross). My husband can tell you that I'm really not the best cook, even when following a recipe. However, we've found a few of the recipes that we really liked (roasted root medley, anyone?) and are going to keep making when the Reset is over. I also renewed my love for quinoa and lentils. I feel absolutely amazing and really do have more energy. I went to a tea last weekend and thought my body would be able to handle a few finger foods...WRONG. I felt pretty sick afterwards. I'm not sure if it was the wheat, soy, sugar, or what, but damn. I also felt my blood pressure skyrocket. I felt a little better after I took a Tums to settle my tummy.

Week 2 hasn't been too bad. I think I'm getting used to this! It was also "THAT TIME" of the month so my cravings increased a little...I wanted lots of chocolate and cheese. I had a single bit of feta (one of my favorites). Go me! There were a couple of meals this week I wasn't a big fan of, but by far my favorite was the roasted red pepper and sweet potato soup. MMMMMM. My headaches are gone, and my body is getting used to the Detox supplement. The first few times I took it, it made my stomach hurt, but now it's fine. The Alkalinize is getting easier to choke down, but it's still disgusting. My pants are also fitting a little bit better and I'm starting to get more prominent cheek and collar bones. I'm super excited to see what Week 3 will bring. I have more energy in the morning and am able to say words to my husband instead of just grunting at him when I first wake up. I sleep WAY better, too. In general I've always been a good sleeper, but damn. I wake up in the same position I fall asleep in now. Less tossing and turning.

Also, this is the big one for me: no caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, or baked goods (minus the few I had at the tea) in TWELVE DAYS. This may be a record for me. I have saved so much money by staying in...money that I am saving for rewards and also for our baby fund! I did stop and get a tea (green, because it's my fave...with peppermint at a close second, no sweeteners) at Starbucks a few times, but I didn't need it. Mostly I wanted it because it's been freezing here lately.

I think I'm finally getting the hang of this willpower and dedication thing. My coach, Amanda, actually pointed it out to me. The fact that I was able to take a SINGLE BITE OF CHEESE (and seriously, who can do that?) and resist the baked goods that were such a staple in my life...could this mean that I am getting the semblance of willpower?

I don't think that I can go back to my "old" life. I love how I feel. My mind is clearer. My mood has been going up and down, but it does that anyone. Overall though I think I'm happier with myself. I have been practicing clean eating...and it's delicious! I'm already thinking about how I can continue this when the Reset is over. I will still need to do the eating plan my dietician put me on to lose weight quickly (hellooooo, chicken and tuna) but I'm thinking long-term here. I'm already trying to figure out which one of my exercise programs I'm going to start afterwards, too (probably Rockin' Body). I need to get in shape so I can participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer this August, in memory of my husband's beautiful aunt. I'll talk more about it as it comes closer, but let's just say that it involves a mountain that's 7,000+ feet above sea level and lots of walking.

Dearest reader...readers? I know I have at LEAST one (hi mom!), it is time for me to sign off and finish watching the Superbowl. I hope you're all doing well on your health journeys!

Day 2: Headaches!

DEAR LORD THE HEADACHES.

Now, I am not sure if it's from the UR or the disgusting weather or sinus pressure or PMS but I thought I was going to die early today. My head hurt SO bad. I hadn't gotten a headache like this in quite a while. I tried to stave it off with lots of water but that didn't help. When it moved to the left side of my head I knew it would turn into a migraine if I didn't do something about it. I ended up needing to take a Tylenol and then about 6 hours later 2 Excedrin migraine. I think the headache is gone now and hopefully won't come back. I tried my hardest not to take medicine, since you're not supposed to while doing the Reset, but for me, it would have made things MUCH worse. Working in an elementary school was also not much of a help. I found myself getting very frustrated earlier in the day, particularly with one client who did expressly everything I told her not to do. Therefore, when she stapled her OWN FINGER I was a little less than sympathetic.

The stretch between breakfast and lunch was made a LITTLE easier today. I had some ShakeO for breakfast (vegan strawberry...pretty good, but honestly a bit too sweet for me, but I did enjoy it) and some blueberries. I was planning on having the oatmeal and yogurt but guess who overslept for an HOUR? That's right, this girl. I also had to drive my husband to work and make a 10 am meeting, so...breakfast on the go it was. I started getting hungry around 11:30 but needed to do some work, so I put off eating til around 12:30. I actually messed my supplements up (OOPS. Forgot halfway through the meal to take the Optimize and didn't finish my Mineralize/Oxygenize in my water, so I did afterwards) but I'm hoping that didn't mess me up too badly. I just got so hungry I started shaking, and I've been known to just pass out if my blood sugar gets TOO low. Lunch was yummy and I was pretty full by the end of it.

Because I felt so crappy I scrapped my plan to go to the office and do paperwork and came home to nap instead. I took my afternoon supplements (the Alkalize was NOT any easier today) and crashed for a few hours. The black beans and rice for dinner was delish, mostly because I LOVE guacamole. I gave myself a little extra rice and guac but ended up not being able to finish the whole plate (that was a LOT of food...I was SO full) so I ended up with the amount written in the book anyway. My husband also enjoyed the meal, only he ate more of everything (he's not doing the Reset with me, just eating the food). I made tomorrow's lunch (mmm, lentils) and now am just trying to motivate into bed. I got a second wind, which...sucks, frankly, at 12 am. I did notice I had a little more "pep in my step" this morning though. I'm not sure my husband would agree with that, but I actually managed words and not grunts this morning.

The muscle aches and coldness were better today. I'm not sure if it's because I slept really well and rested my muscles, and put on a copious amount of layers...or if it was a fluke. It's still cold as balls here, so I'm going with fluke. However the school I was in today was kind enough to give me a room that had a working heater, so that was nice.

I'm concerned that I'm not eating enough calories and don't feel full, but then again - is this the right amount for me and I don't know it because I was overeating for so long? I can't tell yet.

I'm trying to psych myself up for the weekend. I really need to stay on track since that's the hardest for me. I may go to the gym and do an easy walk on the treadmill for a bit, just to get moving. We'll see.

Now, bedtime!

Day 1

Day 1 is done! How did I fare?

I was starving. Like, all day. I enjoyed all the food I ate (loved the salmon, mmm) but I ate breakfast around 8:30 and was hungry again by 10...but I didn't eat again until 11:30! I had a snack around 4:15 and dinner at 10:45 (thanks, work...sucking the life out of me). If I could add a snack in the morning, I don't think it would be too bad.

I didn't feel too different taking any of the supplements...no headaches from Oxygenize or anything. I actually had a headache this morning, but I also had some insane sinus pressure. That went away after some vigorous nose blowing. I tried to drink a lot of water (and I did...hello, 15 glasses of water...I also PEED ALL DAY) to see if I was dehydrated or hungry, but...nope, just hungry.

Alkalize tasted gross. One of my clients also pointed out that it "looks like the color of really nasty baby poop". I basically took that one as a shot...I learned SOMETHING from college! I felt a little sick to my stomach after that one, to be honest, but then I ate my apple (and peanut butter) and felt better.

What's gotten me for a lot of today is the COLD. I know that being cold was to be expected, but I'm talking full body shivers all day. My nailbeds are turning blue. Granted, it's also cold as balls here...but I normally get get a little warm. 2 shirts, a sweater, 2 pairs of socks...still freezing.

Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring! I am exhausted so I'm going to bed.

Day 0

My poor, poor blog. I've been neglecting you. I apologize. Life has gotten in the way, once again. I started running groups at work, and now work til 7 at least twice a week. You can imagine what this does for the diet...Hi, McDonalds. I hate you.

But anyways, tomorrow (technically today, since it's 12:01 AM) is the day I start the Ultimate Reset. I have prepared the microgreen salad and Greek dressing for lunch (the dressing is the shit, just to let everyone know). I have my distilled water. My supplements are all lined up on the counter ready to go. Meal plans are set.

Honestly though, I'm afraid of failing. Of things being too difficult and just giving up because that's what I do. I am hoping things are different this time, but history tends to repeat itself. Maybe I'm just too lazy and I want a quick fix? I don't know. Maybe this time I have more support (and I do, thanks to my coach and support groups!) and that will make the difference. I am so tired of feeling beat down all the time, especially by my doctors...I get it, you give me tools and instructions, but no support! I am one person, and I can't do this alone. Maybe afraid wasn't the right word...scared? Terrified? I talk to the kids I work with about the different emotions that one can have that all relate to the same thing (in this case, fright) and yet I can't identify it myself.

I guess only time will tell. I need to stay strong and do this for myself, no one else. I plan on posting something every day for the next 21 days, even if it's something small, to give everyone an update on how I'm doing. Stay tuned!

Wait, I'm Fat?!

I have returned from the Land of the Dead, aka the Land of the Sick. I am FINALLY able to breathe through my nose. Muscle and body aches are going away. Fever is gone. By gosh, I was actually sick.

Needless to say, 2013 hasn't started out how I would have liked it, but I'm sure it could be a lot worse. Like starting the year off with a zombie apocalypse or something. Haven't been to the gym yet. But I'm going tomorrow because I promised the hubby I would!

I also ordered something called the Ultimate Reset at the suggestions of my Beachbody coach, Amanda. The UR is supposed to help your body detox in a period of 21 days. I did a lot of research prior to ordering it and it seems sound. No starving, fasting, drinking maple syrup and dinosaur pee, nothing like that. Basically, there are 6 supplements that you take that assist in cleansing your body from the inside out while eating healthy food. I'll be posting my experience when I start...I'm anxious for it to get here! I think that weight loss will be a great side effect, but mostly I need to clean all the crap out of my body.

Speaking of food and weight loss, I saw the dietician Thursday. She told me I was fat.

OMGZ NO WAY! Totally missed that. Captain Obvious.

So, I've been put on something called the Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF). Basically, it's a heavy protein diet. And if I was low-carb before, this is NO carb. I get 1.5 to 2 servings of veggies a day, 15 ounces of meat, and no fruit. I have to take prescription potassium pills, as well as a multivitamin (which I already do), and magnesium, calcium, and fiber supplements. I have to go monthly to get my bloodwork done to make sure my body is still functioning correctly. Basically, the giant amounts of protein will force my body into ketosis, where it is burning my fat for fuel rather than carbs. This produces ketones in your urine...and apparently can be hard on your kidneys. You do lose weight quickly though, and then go through "refeeding" where you introduce carbs again. I get to pee on a stick every day too, to see if I'm producing ketones. It's like taking a pregnancy test, but not nearly as fear inducing, I think.

I'm planning on starting this after I finish the UR. I'll be posting about that too...can I give up my precious carbs? We'll see.

So, a reward list. Here is what I'm going to reward myself with:

10 lbs: new nail polish.
20 lbs: 10 new songs from iTunes
30 lbs: manicure!
40 lbs: new workout outfit
50 lbs: another tattoo. I'm addicted.
60 lbs: new shoes
70 lbs: a new dress. Like, a nice one. That shows lots of boob.
80 lbs: Coach purse!
90 lbs:  new clothes!

I must go to bed now. I have to get up for the gym, and I'm getting inked again tomorrow. I told you I was addicted!