Time for a change

**NOTE: Today's post will likely be longer than most as I provide a recap of the last 3 days.

Today marks day 4 of my 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse, but more significant than that, it marks day 4 of my journey to healthier eating. To back up just a little, I have 4 kids ranging in age from 7 to 2. I was pregnant for some part of every year from 2006 until 2012. They say you should expect to bounce back to your pre-pregnancy body within a year. After the first kiddo, I was 10 lbs. heavier by the time I found out I was pregnant with number two. The news of number three coming was received when number two was a mere 5 months old! When number four arrived, I had 3 boys under the age of three! No time for the scale, working out, or healthy eating, it was all I could do to keep them alive while the hubby was at work. I was 210 when I delivered, and dropped to about 185 within the next 6 months, however, here I am 2.5 years later and STILL at 185!

Earlier this year, probably not long after the New Year (everyone knows you can't start a diet until January 1!), I started working out and logging my food, I kept this up for a few months until we went to Disney World this summer where working out and food journaling were the last things on my mind. But I thought I would just get back into it once we got home, but life just got in the way. I told myself I would start back in August when school went back, but again there were hundreds of excuses, most pretty valid! Finally, I downloaded the Weight Watcher's App, signed up for the online program, and started going to fitness classes at the local gym. Then on September 29, I decided to start a Biggest Loser style community weight loss challenge, I weighed in at (SURPRISE!) 185.6. I felt motivated and determined and began working out 5 days a week, after the first 2 weeks, I was down 1.4 lbs, yay, finally some progress... Then comes the 4 week 1/2 way weigh-in and I am 185! I am still down .6 overall, but have gone back up in the last 2 weeks :-( So frustrating and disappointing, I had even been taking the Saba ACE supplement for the week prior to the 4 week weigh-in.

I had ordered the book 10Day Green Smoothie Cleanse and it had finally arrived so I was determined to make a CHANGE. I read the first few chapters, took the shopping list and made my first smoothie on Tuesday morning, October 28.

It was definitely green, a little too green, so I found a cup, put a little on it and inserted straw. I made the hubby taste it first and he survived so I took my first sip and surprisingly it wasn't that bad. The first day was relatively easy, I sipped on the smoothie all morning and then had the rest that afternoon. I drank 2-3 bottles of water, shooting for 4. Tuesday was crazy busy and even when I was cooking hot dogs at the Fall Festival I had no hunger. In addition to doing the cleanse for dieting purposes, I am also using it as a spiritual cleanse and incorporating it in my prayer and devotionals. I even attended Zumba class on Tuesday. Wednesday was a tougher day, I had to leave early to head to Amarillo for my sister's new baby, but I made myself blend my smoothie and I put some in my cup and the rest in a container packed in my daughter's lunch box with ice packs to keep it cool (they are not very yummy once they warm up!). Sipped on it en route to Amarillo and finally finished it up right before lunch time. Around 2, I was hit with a ridiculous headache and thinking it might be from lack of food, I found some boiled eggs, veggies, and fruit to snack on, all of which are approved during the full cleanse. This did not relieve the headache and I really think it was due to my poor sleeping habits over the past few days rather than the smoothies. This day was filled with temptation as I had to smell barbecue brisket which my sister was eating at the hospital and then the Olive Garden that was delivered up there for dinner, but I said a silent prayer asking God to give me the strength to say NO. He did, and I made my way to Target to find some nuts, peanut butter, and apples to snack on and curve the hunger pains.

Day 3: I made it home around 8 am from Amarillo, took a nap for about an hour and then got up to take the 2 little boys on a Mommy Date. Before I left, I blended my smoothie and drank it before we got to the festival. Afterwards, I promised them McDonald's for lunch and the playground. Knowing there was nothing there I would be able to snack on and having left the rest of my smoothie at home, I went by the grocery store and picked up boiled eggs, a veggie tray, and some apples, and simply took my "lunch" in to eat. Not bad, I didn't even let a stray fry find my mouth! The kids wanted Spaghetti O's for dinner which was perfect because I have no temptation to eat those. I did drink a packet of Spark in the am which tremendously helped my energy level. It is getting easier :-)

So, that brings us to today, Day 4, I woke up feeling better, can't quite describe it, but just an overall feeling of wellness. For those of you interested in the nitty gritty, I have not been spending lots of time in the bathroom, it has been 1-2x per day, so it is not overly strenuous on your body like I have heard some cleanses are. In the past I have tried the Advocare 10 day cleanse and it was rough to drink the fiber drinks and I did not lose any weight or have any noticeable improvements. I have also tried the Herbalife cleanse and after 5 days, I decided I was seeing no results and the drink was hard to get down so I quit. I have been up and down most of my life with the scale and do tend to eat when bored rather than just to satisfy a hunger. I have noticed that when I think I am hungry, water usually is what my body is craving. It has been easier to listen to real hunger when I have a restricted list to choose from to satisfy that instead of just reaching for whatever is in front of me. So far, so good. It hasn't been easy, but I am hoping that by this time next week I will be able to tell you that it is worth it! One change that I have already noticed is my tastes are starting to change, I have never ate broccoli in my life, but yesterday it was included in the veggie tray and I decided to give it a nibble and I actually liked it!

Here are the recipes for the first 4 days of smoothies, I would encourage you to buy the book if you decide to try this because it provides some really good advice, tips, and encouragement.
Day 1:
3 handfuls spinach
2 cups water
Always blend the greens and water first before adding the rest of the ingredients.
1 apple, cored, quartered
1 cup frozen mangos
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 handful frozen or fresh seedless grapes
1 stevia packet
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1 scoop protein
*This one wasn't bad tasting, but I couldn't handle looking at the color so I had to use a cup with lid!
Day 2:
3 handfuls spring mix greens
2 cups water
Always blend the greens and water first before adding the rest of the ingredients.
1 banana, peeled
2 apples, cored, quartered
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
2 stevia packets
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1 scoop protein
*This one didn't taste bad, I am just not a huge banana fan and it was definitely a strawberry/banana flavor.
Day 3:
1 handful spring mix greens
2 handfuls spinach
2 cups water
Always blend the greens and water first before adding the rest of the ingredients.
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1 banana, peeled
1 apple, cored, quartered
1 stevia packet
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1 scoop protein
*This one was black, and it actually tasted really good.
Day 4:
2 handfuls kale
1 handful spinach
2 cups water
Always blend the greens and water first before adding the rest of the ingredients.
2 apples, cored, quartered
1 1/2 cups frozen peaches
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
2 stevia packets
2 tbsps. ground flaxseeds
1 scoop protein
*This one is kinda reddish pink, but I'm not huge on the taste, it is kind of tart and could probably use more stevia.

Tomorrow is Day 5 and the 1/2 way point!! Yay!!