Upon much reflection, I have abandoned the 21 day cleanse with 8 days to go. It is not working out for me. I do not feel Well; which is the point of doing it. I am pleased with the weight loss, but I actually attribute that more to Weight Watchers which is a tried and true trusted friend who has carried me from 217 pounds to where I am now.
My decision was not taken lightly. I discussed it with several people prior to breaking the "fast". I prepared a healthy dinner and enjoyed it. I did eat steak; but I only ate half of it. I did not want to get sick. I did not have any gluton and I am still drinking decaf for now. I enjoyed some wine and then switched to decaf tea before bed.
We are planning an upcoming trip to someplace warm with Palm trees...so I will continue my journey while counting weight watchers points. I know not to focus on just the destination; in this case vacation and my goal weight, but to enjoy the trip and time it takes to get there. I was not enjoying being a vegan. I can embrace some of the ideas and philosophies it has to offer, but it is not a program for me at this point in my life.
Thanks to all who read about my experiment. I will continue to write my musings as the tide continues to change and waves roll in and roll out.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
16-12 Days
Ok...sorry about the lapse. My brain has been in a state of shock. I have had moments of complete and utter panic because I cannot remember...Can't remember what I am doing right in the middle of a project, can't remember names and contract information...Not good. Fine that my body is cleansing;yet I am unable to be productive in my work and life. I really think a body needs meat.
I got through the weekend just fine. No cheating, but I keep dreaming that I am cheating. Strange.
I have decided to have decaf coffee in the morning with unsweetened soy milk. I no longer have the headaches from caffeine withdrawal.
My weight is at 176. I was hoping to get to 170 by the end of the 21 day period. I am dilligently tracking points as well.
On the bright side, the sun is shining, and spring is here! I know I can make it 11 more days; but after that point, I will go back to Weight Watchers exclusively. I miss the variety and convenience. It is time consuming to shop and prepare a complete vegetarian, gluten free meal.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day! My dinner consists of a sweet potato with olive oil and red pepper flakes. MMMMmmmm. Actually, it is really good. It would be better with Corned Beef, Cabbage and a Guinness. Slainte.
I got through the weekend just fine. No cheating, but I keep dreaming that I am cheating. Strange.
I have decided to have decaf coffee in the morning with unsweetened soy milk. I no longer have the headaches from caffeine withdrawal.
My weight is at 176. I was hoping to get to 170 by the end of the 21 day period. I am dilligently tracking points as well.
On the bright side, the sun is shining, and spring is here! I know I can make it 11 more days; but after that point, I will go back to Weight Watchers exclusively. I miss the variety and convenience. It is time consuming to shop and prepare a complete vegetarian, gluten free meal.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day! My dinner consists of a sweet potato with olive oil and red pepper flakes. MMMMmmmm. Actually, it is really good. It would be better with Corned Beef, Cabbage and a Guinness. Slainte.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Day 17
Friday. Today is going to be tough. The weekend usually means a great deal of cooking and eating and wine. I just keep telling myself that in order to kick start weight loss, I need to give up the wine for a few weeks. I did not have a headache to start the day, which was good, but the same co-worker that had complimented me earlier this week asked "Are you alright? You look like you have been crying". Great ego boost to start the day. My skin is not looking so great. Some of the changes that Kathy Freston promises during the wellness cleanse are "clearer skin and eyes". Well this is obviously not the case with me.
Now the good news...weight is now 177.2! That is a loss of 3.4 pounds since Monday. I normally lose an average of 5lbs the first week of doing any type of weight loss program; so I am right on track.
Breakfast: 1/4 cup Kasha (buckwheat) cooked with nutmeg and cinnamon and sprinkled with 1 tsp flax seed, 6 diced dried apricots and 1/4 cup of walnuts. 9 points
Now the good news...weight is now 177.2! That is a loss of 3.4 pounds since Monday. I normally lose an average of 5lbs the first week of doing any type of weight loss program; so I am right on track.
Breakfast: 1/4 cup Kasha (buckwheat) cooked with nutmeg and cinnamon and sprinkled with 1 tsp flax seed, 6 diced dried apricots and 1/4 cup of walnuts. 9 points
Lunch: 1/2 cup of black beans, 1/2 cup of fresh salsa and 1/2 avocado diced. 100 cal pack of almonds and two rice cakes with 2 tblsp of tahini lemon hummus. 11 points
Snack: 1 mini bag of microwave popcorn. 1 point
Dinner: marinated (Lime juice and the vinegar from a jar of hot banana peppers) tempeh grilled and a sweet potato sliced into circles sprinkled with 2 tsp olive oil,cayenne, chili powder, black pepper, roasted an hour in a 400 degree oven. 10 points
I have eaten more than 23 points per day and have had quite a bit of my weekly points allowance of 35 points. I only have 3 points left. My food intake on Saturday and Sunday have to be 24 and 25 points only. I don't anticipate that I will be able to get some walking in as we are expecting torrential downpours for the next three days. The chapter today focuses on "moving your body" and encorporating exercise into your daily routine. Easier said than done! This weekend is the time change which will make for longer afternoons of sunshine and more light to take that "cleansing wellness" walk.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Day 18
Hurray! No headache. My hands are dancing an irish jig though. I have got the shakes. Also, I noticed that I am cold all of the time. I woke up an hour earlier than I normally do. Wide awake before 6; now this is unusual for me. I took the time to plan my menu for the day. First I stepped on the scale. 178.6. Great. I can sense that I am shrinking. My toe ring is loose. Glad to know that I have been reducing that stubborn toe fat and my toe no longer has the muffin top around the toe ring.
Breakfast: 1 cup light soy milk and decaf coffee. I felt like I was cheating and I realize it is a slippery slope, but I still had it. Boca (soy) sausage, 2 Van's Gluten free blueberry waffles with 1 cup sliced strawberries and 1 tblsp of Raspberry Agave Nectar. 8 points.
Lunch: Red Quinoa with 2tsp oil, some fresh salsa and a 100 calorie packet of Wholly Guacamole. My lunch looked like a science expirement but it tasted good. Wholly Guacamole is awesome. One cup of Cashew Ginger Soup. 9 points.
Snack: Red and Yellow Pepper strips
Dinner: 2 slices Ezekial sprouted bread and 1 tbsp of Organic unsweetened Almond Butter. This made a great "Peanut butter sandwich". 1 oz of Macadamia nuts. I finished the small jar. I am NOT buying these again. They are too good and I want to eat some every day but my point budget will not allow it. 11 points
Today's chapter from Kathy Freston is "The Big Picture". She speaks of your "inner compus" and how it brings guilt for what you have consumed previously. I can totally relate to this statement and have often had "the guilties" over what I have consumed. Today's meditation is "I open my eyes so that I might heal". As previously stated, I really can't seem to grasp the meditation concept. My eyes are open and all I can see is the dishwasher needs to be emptied, the laudrey folded and the kids need start doing homework and stop playing wii.
Breakfast: 1 cup light soy milk and decaf coffee. I felt like I was cheating and I realize it is a slippery slope, but I still had it. Boca (soy) sausage, 2 Van's Gluten free blueberry waffles with 1 cup sliced strawberries and 1 tblsp of Raspberry Agave Nectar. 8 points.
Lunch: Red Quinoa with 2tsp oil, some fresh salsa and a 100 calorie packet of Wholly Guacamole. My lunch looked like a science expirement but it tasted good. Wholly Guacamole is awesome. One cup of Cashew Ginger Soup. 9 points.
Snack: Red and Yellow Pepper strips
Dinner: 2 slices Ezekial sprouted bread and 1 tbsp of Organic unsweetened Almond Butter. This made a great "Peanut butter sandwich". 1 oz of Macadamia nuts. I finished the small jar. I am NOT buying these again. They are too good and I want to eat some every day but my point budget will not allow it. 11 points
Today's chapter from Kathy Freston is "The Big Picture". She speaks of your "inner compus" and how it brings guilt for what you have consumed previously. I can totally relate to this statement and have often had "the guilties" over what I have consumed. Today's meditation is "I open my eyes so that I might heal". As previously stated, I really can't seem to grasp the meditation concept. My eyes are open and all I can see is the dishwasher needs to be emptied, the laudrey folded and the kids need start doing homework and stop playing wii.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Day 19
Another sunny day. I could get used to this! I made it through AI last night, but only about 15 minutes into Lost. I was so tired and listless. I felt exhausted. Before going to bed, I prepped my dinner for tonight. I decided on trying Tempeh. The kind I purchased is called LightLife Organic Three Grain. The Doppleganger for the Tempeh is bird suet. This stuff looks exactly like the seedy stuff you stick in the bird feeder to feed the birds; except suet has fat in it. My tempeh consists of soybeans, brown rice, barley, millet and plant lactic acid (hmm....I never knew a plant could lactate!) Very interesting. Apparantly, it will take on the taste of whatever you season it in. Considering I wanted filet mignon, I liberally seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, Spicy Bold A-1 and tobasco. I had to blanche the tempeh for 10 minutes and marinate overnight. Turning it once in the morning. These brown triangles of seeds look nothing like my filet of the past.
Weight: 179.4 down 1.2 yeah!
Breakfast: 4 oz of C-Boost fruit smoothie and 32oz sparling seltzer. Steel cut oats with craisons and walnuts and 1 tsp of Raspberry Agave Nectar. 11 points.
Lunch:Brown Rice Pasta, 1 cup of diced red pepper, two spears of asparagus cut in bite size pieces, 2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 cup marina and 6 oz Low Sodium V8. 7 points.
Dinner: Grilled marinated tempeh, broccoli and 1/2 avocado. 9 points. Peppermint tea with a splash of Silk light chocolate milk. I do not usually like to mix chocolate and mint; but I needed something that tasted remotely like chocolate. Note: the tempeh was tolerable. I will have to play around with the seasonings next time.
The chapter for today was all about meditation and visualization. This is not me at all. My idea of meditation is driving and cranking Lady Gaga and blocking out the world. I sing along and visualize that I am a pop star...All while driving my Honda Odyssey that has two car seats, atleast 1 shoe, 3 socks (unmatching), 4 DS cartidges, 23 movies and a million particles of various assundry food items and general debris. I have made it through day three. Also, as a P.S. : a co-worker at my office commented that "You look really nice today". Perhaps the Quantum Wellness Cleanse is working!
Weight: 179.4 down 1.2 yeah!
Breakfast: 4 oz of C-Boost fruit smoothie and 32oz sparling seltzer. Steel cut oats with craisons and walnuts and 1 tsp of Raspberry Agave Nectar. 11 points.
Lunch:Brown Rice Pasta, 1 cup of diced red pepper, two spears of asparagus cut in bite size pieces, 2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 cup marina and 6 oz Low Sodium V8. 7 points.
Dinner: Grilled marinated tempeh, broccoli and 1/2 avocado. 9 points. Peppermint tea with a splash of Silk light chocolate milk. I do not usually like to mix chocolate and mint; but I needed something that tasted remotely like chocolate. Note: the tempeh was tolerable. I will have to play around with the seasonings next time.
The chapter for today was all about meditation and visualization. This is not me at all. My idea of meditation is driving and cranking Lady Gaga and blocking out the world. I sing along and visualize that I am a pop star...All while driving my Honda Odyssey that has two car seats, atleast 1 shoe, 3 socks (unmatching), 4 DS cartidges, 23 movies and a million particles of various assundry food items and general debris. I have made it through day three. Also, as a P.S. : a co-worker at my office commented that "You look really nice today". Perhaps the Quantum Wellness Cleanse is working!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Day 20
No Coffee. No coffee smells...husband not home. This should be easy, except for the fact that I am waking up with a headache. The hangover is still hanging over. Atleast the sun is shining and I can get outside today for a walk. It is my day off from work and I can get some things done. Before I begin, I must face the scale. I need to see the number. In the spirit of spring cleaning, I actually windexed the surface of my scale and waited for it to thoroughly dry (no need for any extra ounces being tallied prior to my stepping on).
180.6 .
Ok. I expected that. Lets watch that number go down. Shall we?
Breakfast: 8oz of Green Goodness Fruit Smoothie and two slices of Ezekial sprouted bread toasted. 6 points. I drank my obligatory 32oz of water and popped a Centrum for good measure.
I put on my sneakers and got my ipod and Niamh. Off we went on a brisk (while stopping every now and again to sniff) walk. Niamh needs a total wellness cleanse as well. You see, she has been supplementing her diet with cat food. She is a "closet" cat food eater and tends to do it when no one can see her. I don't think she purges after theses little binges, (but the cats do. I wonder why this daily event can't be stopped?); so she has thickened a bit through the middle. Can't blame her as she is now 5 years old and in dog years, well that is 35 and it happens to almost all bitches at that time. The weather is superb and our walk does cause my headache to dissipate a bit.
Lunch: 2 cups of mixed greens, 2 tsp of olive oil, 1/2 cup chickpeas, 2 tblsp of lemon tahini hummus, 1/2 cup of fresh salsa and 8 black olives. 6 points. 8oz Light Soy milk 1 point.This was a really good combination! Sometimes my culinary creations are a disaster, but this one was a hit. Lots of food on the plate so my eyes are happy also.
Afternoon was tough. I was trying to read and I could not concentrate. I set the kitchen timer to wake me at 2 and fell asleep on the couch. I awoke to get the kids but I was very shaky. I guzzled some water and went off to the school. A quick stop to get an inspection sticker was in order as mine had expired in August of 2008. The candy bowl at the garage had two options: tootsie rolls and wintergreen mints. I opted for none.
Dinner: Cashew Carrot Ginger soup with 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, a rice cake with 1 tblsp of Tahini. 10 points. Sliced strawberries and cantaloupe would have been 1 point, but Niamh ate the beautifully crafted bowl of sliced fruit. I had a banana 2 points. I am starving. I feel wobbly. I need to eat. Quorn turkey burger, 2 points. Quorn is a really tasty product. It is a mycoprotein. Basically, it is fermented mushrooms used as a meat substitute.
I was able to stick to 26 points for today! Hopefully tomorrow I will reap the benefits of the cleanse and be feeling better. Today's chapter in the book was titled, "Why No Caffeine?" Kathy Freston then states several medical reasons why using strong words like addiction and central nervous system stimulant and a psychoactive drug. I sure do miss my fix and would like a hit. This Tazo Passion Herbal tea is just not filling the void.
180.6 .
Ok. I expected that. Lets watch that number go down. Shall we?
Breakfast: 8oz of Green Goodness Fruit Smoothie and two slices of Ezekial sprouted bread toasted. 6 points. I drank my obligatory 32oz of water and popped a Centrum for good measure.
I put on my sneakers and got my ipod and Niamh. Off we went on a brisk (while stopping every now and again to sniff) walk. Niamh needs a total wellness cleanse as well. You see, she has been supplementing her diet with cat food. She is a "closet" cat food eater and tends to do it when no one can see her. I don't think she purges after theses little binges, (but the cats do. I wonder why this daily event can't be stopped?); so she has thickened a bit through the middle. Can't blame her as she is now 5 years old and in dog years, well that is 35 and it happens to almost all bitches at that time. The weather is superb and our walk does cause my headache to dissipate a bit.
Lunch: 2 cups of mixed greens, 2 tsp of olive oil, 1/2 cup chickpeas, 2 tblsp of lemon tahini hummus, 1/2 cup of fresh salsa and 8 black olives. 6 points. 8oz Light Soy milk 1 point.This was a really good combination! Sometimes my culinary creations are a disaster, but this one was a hit. Lots of food on the plate so my eyes are happy also.
Afternoon was tough. I was trying to read and I could not concentrate. I set the kitchen timer to wake me at 2 and fell asleep on the couch. I awoke to get the kids but I was very shaky. I guzzled some water and went off to the school. A quick stop to get an inspection sticker was in order as mine had expired in August of 2008. The candy bowl at the garage had two options: tootsie rolls and wintergreen mints. I opted for none.
Dinner: Cashew Carrot Ginger soup with 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds, a rice cake with 1 tblsp of Tahini. 10 points. Sliced strawberries and cantaloupe would have been 1 point, but Niamh ate the beautifully crafted bowl of sliced fruit. I had a banana 2 points. I am starving. I feel wobbly. I need to eat. Quorn turkey burger, 2 points. Quorn is a really tasty product. It is a mycoprotein. Basically, it is fermented mushrooms used as a meat substitute.
I was able to stick to 26 points for today! Hopefully tomorrow I will reap the benefits of the cleanse and be feeling better. Today's chapter in the book was titled, "Why No Caffeine?" Kathy Freston then states several medical reasons why using strong words like addiction and central nervous system stimulant and a psychoactive drug. I sure do miss my fix and would like a hit. This Tazo Passion Herbal tea is just not filling the void.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quantum Wellness Cleanse and Weight Watchers 21 Day Journey
Day 21.
21 days...I figured I would start at 21 and count backwards...like a rocketship count down to the big explosion and take off...Actually that is not the end result that I am looking for. I am undertaking the Quantum Wellness Cleanse which is a 21 day detox of all that is unhealthy and unholy (well, it is technically Lent, so I can put that in). I want to jumpstart my weight loss and be focused on healthful eating and of course to be fashionable and fabulous come Springtime. I just can't fit into my clothes from last year.
For the next three weeks, I will be abstaining from the Big Five: Gluton, Sugar, Alcohol, Caffeine and all Animal products. It is time to treat my Tent like a Temple! Spring Cleaning so to speak. In tandem to this plan, I also will be following the guidelines set out by Weight Watchers to the best of my ability. I will let you know what weird, wonderful and wacky combinations of food I ingest and also my moods and reflections on each day. I did just write moods...when I am hungry; I am in a Bad Mood. Lets hope not too many BMs happen unexpectedly. I do mean the double entendre there.
Day One: I awake to the warm and soothing smell of a Starbuck's dark roast brewing. Ok. This will be my first challenge of the day. Dutifully, I fill up my Weight Watchers 32oz water mug and add a bright an cheery luscious lemon slice to delight my senses and refresh my soul. Who am I kidding? I want the coffee.
Breakfast: Water, 1/4 cup steel cut oats, 1/2 banana and 1 tsp of ground flax seed, 1 tblsp of almond butter. 5 points. Note: Irish Steel Cut Oats are great. They take a while to cook, but these are already a part of my diet, so this is not a big change. My breakfast is a nutty banana bomb!
I am full. I still want some coffee. I am now supposed to do some meditation and tell myself to "Lean into the changes", but I am late for work so I can't "lean", I need to move it; now!
Lunch: Red Quinoa with two tblsp of pinto beans, some chives, 1 tsp of olive oil and two tbslp of fresh chunky salsa. 1 tsp of ground flax seed. 6 points. Snack consists of a Lara fruit and nut bar 5 points and some grapefruit and pineapple 2 points.
When I got home from work, I was famished. I proceeded to have 1 oz macadamia nuts. I wished I had looked up the points before inhaling them in one fatal swoop. 6 points.
Dinner: 1 cup of Kale sauteed in 1 tsp olive oil and garlic. 1 point. One prepared frozen gluten free cafe meal, "Asian Noodles" 10 points. Very pointy and not all that great IMHO. I have killer heartburn from it also.
In review: I consumed a huge amount of points. 35. I usually have only 23. I did get in all of my guidelines for WW if I count the Asian meal 35% calcium and the Kale. All of the nuts and the nut products sucked up my budget of points for the day. Technically, I used 12 of my WPA's and only have 23 left for the week. I usually enjoy these points on wine. Now that I cannot have wine...they will be around for me to eat something nutritious. As for my mood...it could be better. I did have a headache for a good part of the day; nothing debilitating, but it sure was annoying. I know that this is a side effect of caffeine withdrawal and is to be expected. Ironically, it felt similar to a good old fashioned hang over.
That is my musing for today. I have made it through day 21! To quote Miss Scarlett, " Tomorrow is Another Day"!
21 days...I figured I would start at 21 and count backwards...like a rocketship count down to the big explosion and take off...Actually that is not the end result that I am looking for. I am undertaking the Quantum Wellness Cleanse which is a 21 day detox of all that is unhealthy and unholy (well, it is technically Lent, so I can put that in). I want to jumpstart my weight loss and be focused on healthful eating and of course to be fashionable and fabulous come Springtime. I just can't fit into my clothes from last year.
For the next three weeks, I will be abstaining from the Big Five: Gluton, Sugar, Alcohol, Caffeine and all Animal products. It is time to treat my Tent like a Temple! Spring Cleaning so to speak. In tandem to this plan, I also will be following the guidelines set out by Weight Watchers to the best of my ability. I will let you know what weird, wonderful and wacky combinations of food I ingest and also my moods and reflections on each day. I did just write moods...when I am hungry; I am in a Bad Mood. Lets hope not too many BMs happen unexpectedly. I do mean the double entendre there.
Day One: I awake to the warm and soothing smell of a Starbuck's dark roast brewing. Ok. This will be my first challenge of the day. Dutifully, I fill up my Weight Watchers 32oz water mug and add a bright an cheery luscious lemon slice to delight my senses and refresh my soul. Who am I kidding? I want the coffee.
Breakfast: Water, 1/4 cup steel cut oats, 1/2 banana and 1 tsp of ground flax seed, 1 tblsp of almond butter. 5 points. Note: Irish Steel Cut Oats are great. They take a while to cook, but these are already a part of my diet, so this is not a big change. My breakfast is a nutty banana bomb!
I am full. I still want some coffee. I am now supposed to do some meditation and tell myself to "Lean into the changes", but I am late for work so I can't "lean", I need to move it; now!
Lunch: Red Quinoa with two tblsp of pinto beans, some chives, 1 tsp of olive oil and two tbslp of fresh chunky salsa. 1 tsp of ground flax seed. 6 points. Snack consists of a Lara fruit and nut bar 5 points and some grapefruit and pineapple 2 points.
When I got home from work, I was famished. I proceeded to have 1 oz macadamia nuts. I wished I had looked up the points before inhaling them in one fatal swoop. 6 points.
Dinner: 1 cup of Kale sauteed in 1 tsp olive oil and garlic. 1 point. One prepared frozen gluten free cafe meal, "Asian Noodles" 10 points. Very pointy and not all that great IMHO. I have killer heartburn from it also.
In review: I consumed a huge amount of points. 35. I usually have only 23. I did get in all of my guidelines for WW if I count the Asian meal 35% calcium and the Kale. All of the nuts and the nut products sucked up my budget of points for the day. Technically, I used 12 of my WPA's and only have 23 left for the week. I usually enjoy these points on wine. Now that I cannot have wine...they will be around for me to eat something nutritious. As for my mood...it could be better. I did have a headache for a good part of the day; nothing debilitating, but it sure was annoying. I know that this is a side effect of caffeine withdrawal and is to be expected. Ironically, it felt similar to a good old fashioned hang over.
That is my musing for today. I have made it through day 21! To quote Miss Scarlett, " Tomorrow is Another Day"!
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