Whatever Difficulties May Come

Day 4 - Ultimate Reset

Went to the park today to get a bit of exercise. Felt good. Most amazed at how alert I have become. Normally about 10:00 every day, I become very sleepy. This has been going on for quite awhile. Since summer began, I have taken that nap every day, not to mention sleeping in late. For the past two days, not only have I not needed a nap, but I probably couldn't fall asleep if I tried. So far this is what I am enjoying most.

Must admit that a couple of times a day I seem to sweat for no reason - proof it is working! I still find myself a bit tired (not a lot of energy). Looking forward to the point where I am both energetic and alert.

Interestingly, I am not hungry and not tempted to eat just to be eating. I don't think about food between meals. Of course, not everyone's experience is the same. The website has daily videos with test group individuals discussing their own challenges. Several did say they thought about sugar, bread, coffee etc. If I had been asked before starting this Reset, I would have told you I'd fall in that category because I sure love my bread! Whatever difficulties come, I will always be thankful that I am making this change.

Most say the first three days are the toughest. Being at home does make the Reset a bit easier, especially with the prep.

Still losing - but think I will wait until the morning of day 22 day to weigh/measure and share changes. I don't want the weight to be my focus. My goal is to be healthy and able. To take care of my body, so it will take care of me.
And for the first time in a long time I'm doing just that.

Until tomorrow.

On a side note - my vegan Shakeology came! What a wonderful snack!:)

Beyond the U.R.

Play Day!

Not only did I wake up feeling much better today - headache completely gone, but I woke up ready bright eyed and wide awake at 4:30 a.m. Had an early breakfast and slept a bit longer after that. However, I have had no desire to nap any more today. And I have been quite the napper!

Scrappy was also up at 4:30 - ready to PLAY! One day of my headache was quite enough for him. ;)

Though not sleepy or dragging, I do feel a bit tired, not a lot of energy. I can understand why exercise is not a part of the Ultimate Refresh. Strange - to feel a bit weak but really alert!

Did snack today. Shakeo will be here tomorrow, so I had an apple and some natural peanut butter. One of the great aspects of this program is that meals in the same phase and same time period (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are interchangeable, so if you really don't think you will like one of the recipes, you can swap it for another. I did that today, since I really didn't get a chance to appreciate the Southwestern Taco due to headache, we had them tonight. There were delicious.

I am already finding foods I didn't eat before that I will continue eating after the Reset is complete. This is becoming quite an eye-opening experience. My coach keeps telling me that it is life-changing. I must agree. And this is only day 3. I thought I would be worried about lasting a full 21 days, but not so much anymore. I'm not going to lie, it's not always easy, especially with the need to prep for three meals each day, but it is satisfying.

Oh, and I've dropped 6 pounds so far.

Drink Lots of Water

A clean-eating lifestyle - used to think it was unattainable - just too many goodies out there I love to eat. Just didn't really expect to feel the changes predicted. So glad I was wrong. Will still enjoy a "cheat meal" now and then, but feel so much better!

Can't wait to see what the other 18 days bring.

My husband could say, "I told you so," but he hasn't. (May have thought it a couple of times.)

Getting in close to a gallon of water a day. May start 
throwing in some Tai Cheng- Natural Reboot tomorrow as well as giving the dog a walk or two.

Until tomorrow.

Well, It Was Expected

Let's Play

Scrappy's ready to play, but I have a horrible headache. I knew it was possible, especially since I drink coffee. It's worth it and hopefully will be gone tomorrow. Promised to share the bad with the good.

Breakfast Day 2

However, the meals are still filling, and I did not have a snack today either. My vegan Shakeology arrives tomorrow, and I WILL have a snack then! Sure do miss my Shakeo! 

Curious, so I weighed this morning - already down 3 pounds. 

Today's entry is going to be short and sweet. More tomorrow.

Day 1 - Who Knew?

 Day one is in the books and other than feeling sleepy and enjoying a nap, the day went smoothly and the meals were quite enjoyable (thanks, Matt). And who knew that I could eat so many vegetables in one day and feel satisfied? The daily menu allows for a snack during the day. I passed it up today as I didn't feel hungry.

Lots of water!

I'm sure drinking a gallon of water a day helps curb hunger. :)

The recipes are tasty and easy to follow. I love the homemade salad dressings. Don't think I will ever really want to use store bought dressings again. The creamy garlic we made today is delicious! And it is the first time I have had scrambled eggs with herbs - just lovely!

      This first week - Phase 1 - is referred to as Phase 1. RECLAIM - The Beachbody Guide defines it as "reclaim[ing] your body, accessing its inner chemistry and preparing for change."
Slowly remove foods - red meat, dairy - known to place stress on digestive system

Breakfast PHASE 1

An interesting fact I learned from the program - water can slow down the digestive system (dilute digestive juices and acids). This can cause digestive problems. The fix? Drink your water 5-10 minutes before eating (8-12 oz glass). The idea is to chew your food so many times that you don't have to "wash it down" with liquid as it becomes liquid.

On the Ultimate Refresh, you drink distilled water and add the Mineralize.

The Nutrition Guide explains all of the how and why of the program.

So, I'll leave you with another interesting fact: chewing gum deceives your digestive system and causes to prepare for the coming food - only there is none.

Looking forward to tomorrow's meals.

Preparing for the Journey

Sitting outside this evening in the cool "breeze" while Scrappy enjoys the outdoors. The day has been busy and productive, and I'm ready to tackle this 21 day journey to renewed health.

I already love Beachbody, but I am still amazed at how well this program is organized and developed! Not only are all of the supplements included but there is a program and nutrition guide as well as dvd's that cover the program AND a how-to for the daily menus. The chef is wonderful; she takes the viewer through tools needed in the kitchen, to an explanation of everything from grains, fruits, vegetables etc. My favorite part is the ability to pull all of this information up on my phone or ipad. The website theultimatereset.com has info for those who are interested but also a private log in for those who are using the program. Not only can I pull up a grocery list, but I can play a video on how to make EACH meal right on my phone and ipad as well.

I also love the little extra touches - a natural fiber bracelet to wear as a reminder for the 21 days and a small pouch to carry the supplements.

There is very little exercising during the reset - walking and light yoga, and the dvd also gives a sample of the first phase of Tai Cheng (name of creator). Thankfully, I already have the program and can pull it up on Beachbody on Demand as well.

Today's shopping took a while as I covered the staples for the 21 days and the food for the first week (Phase 1). But the lists are separated by fruits/veggies, condiments, herbs etc. and then in alphabetical order. I am really learning a lot about food.

Once the shopping was complete, my wonderful husband and I took some time to CLEAN and clean out both the pantry and the fridge! What a great feeling.

Will explain the phases tomorrow and give an update on Day 1!

The Ultimate Reset: Of Mind and Body

Eat your fruits and vegetables. They're good for you. Two statements of truth; however, what happens when you are simply not a fan?  You can continue ignoring them (what I often do) and accept the consequences (usually negative) or find a way to change your mindset and recapture your health.

One of the reasons I first became interested in Beachbody products has to do with a video I watched on Shakeology in which the founder of the company admits to not being a fan of vegetables, which (if I understand correctly) had some part in the creation of this nutritious creation (daily dose of dense nutrition).

Realizing that to truly clean up my eating and reset my system, I must include fruits and vegetables along with Shakeology for a truly healthy, clean eating lifestyle. I am fortunate in that my husband is quite the cook! And with his help, I am going to embark on a 21 day journey that will change my life. No more excuses, no more shying away from all of the possible ways for making clean eating a reality. In a few days, the Ultimate Refresh will arrive. For 21 days, I will follow the meal plans to the letter (no matter what the recipe calls for). I will give myself the chance to know what it really feels like to have a healthy mind and body.

Losing the weight will be wonderful, but more importantly for me, will be the clarity of mind and renewed health. I am also looking forward to spending time in the kitchen, learning tricks of the cooking trade (I am basic cook - my husband is chef level. :)) from my hubby.

So for 21 days, beginning with the arrival of my package of supplements and recipes (DVD's), I will be blogging about the benefits, struggles, and daily activities associated with my Ultimate Reset - mind and body. Feel free to follow my journey, ask questions, see results, and learn how a once anti-veggie/fruit individual overcomes for greater health, strength of body, and clarity of mind.

The Missing Piece

Everything else comes first - exercise last. We say that the other activities must be completed - we owe that time to someone or something else - and exercise is - well - hard. This is me for sure! So many irons in the fire, so much other responsibility. However, I am trying diligently to change my mindset. To realize that exercise is hard, but it is worth the difficulty. This is the only body I will ever have, and it is my responsibility to take care of it or face the consequences - and those consequences are not pretty - and dealing with them will be a whole other kind of hard.

Yet knowing what needs to be done and actually doing it are much different. So I had to find a way to make it work for me. Some people just go for it. Some people even enjoy the exercise (I do once it is done - and not because it is over, but because I feel so good). But I tend to put it off to another time, then another, then another - eating as well - oh, I don't put off eating - I put off eating meals that will fuel my body with needed nutrients. If bread and chocolate had all of our daily vitamins - I would be Hercules - well maybe Xena.

My dilemma, then, became how to motivate myself to act in a manner that would build me up both physically and mentally - that would keep me on track - not perfectly - but heading daily in the right direction.  Challenge groups and coaching groups! For me, the answer.

I began with the challenge groups - and even then I struggled - but I trudged on. I finally realized that is isn't about not struggling, it is about perseverance - not giving up. That every step I took in the right direction would eventually lead me to a healthier and happier place. The real beauty of these groups (which is the main reason I became a coach - lifetime accountability) is that my struggle affirms someone else's struggle and together with many others we journey, building one another up with encouragement and understanding along the way. We stumble - we fall - one challenger put it well when when she commented about not only falling off the horse, but tumblig down the hill as well.

We are better together - and I am better because I am not only looking out for myself but others. And if we stroll together day by day and pound by pound - we will eventually find ourselves running and wondering at which point the actual change took place.

In his book The Compound Effect,  Darren Hardy states, "The Compound Effect is the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices. What's most interesting about this process to me is that, even though the results are massive, the steps, in the moment, don't feel significant....What most people don't realize is that these small seemingly insignificant steps completed consistently over time will create a radical difference."

 It is the small steps, the consistent steps, the turtle steps that will eventually allow for finishing the race. And those of us working together may not all cross the finish line at the same time, but we will cross, while continuing to cheer one another on along the way.