Shred Week 5: Cleanse

I loved this week! I felt so good and that was even with monthly issues and insomnia, I stuck with the plan almost 100%. There were still days I only did 3 meals and 3 snacks instead of 4 meals, and one day I forgot to bring an afternoon snack so I had 2 pieces of 85% dark chocolate (which is still less calories than some of the options for the days snack).

This week we added 2 Tbs of ground flax seed or oil to lemon water. This I wasn't thrilled with, specifically when I heated the lemon water. I barely gagged that down. The rest of the week I made sure to either add the flax to my breakfast option or I drank the lemon water cold, then it was fine. I did add one thing to my lemon water most days, which if figured would only add to the health benefits. I try to do Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) at least once a day. I love it hot with lemon and a couple drops of stevia. ACV has no calories and is known for cleansing properties, so on the days I did hot lemon water, I added ACV to it for my own enjoyment. Believe me, this is an acquired taste that happened when I was little and as an adult when I started drinking it again, I think there was nostalgia involved in my liking it right away.

There was only one day that I was hungry, but that was more my fault than the days meal plan. this particular day I picked cucumbers for the morning snack and in the book you are supposed to have it with dressing to add the fat to fill up, but I don't like dressings, so I was planning to add a few almonds to the snack, only work was busy and I completely forgot to grab them. Then for lunch it was a large salad and I don't remember what else, but it was all food that fills for about 30 minutes before you start to feel hungry. Whatever my afternoon snack was, it just didn't cut it so it took to my 3rd meal for me to feel more satisfied. Even with the hunger, it wasn't a miserable hunger, it was just more noticeable and I had an extra mug of tea that afternoon.

One thing that really helped me keep this week almost 100% was actually writing down the entire weeks plan. There were a few days I had to change up what I had intended based on additional events that popped up, but then I just went to Kindle and checked to see what other options were available for that meal. I think having it on paper, allowed me to just quick check my notebook the evening before to see if I needed to prepare and then for each meal just double check to make sure I had everything. This also kept me on track. I know I went into this week determined to follow it closely, but I think being able to check off each line as I followed it was good for me. I even turned down 2 different opportunities for pizza, one of which I sat and watched other people eating and I turned down someone buying me a Carmel Macchiato(this is truly the bigger feat for more:-)

So, here are my numbers for the week and as you will see following the plan completely (at least for the cleanse week) is worth it.

February 4, 2013

Bust: 36 1/4 in
Ribs: 29 3/4 in
Abdomen: 29 in
Hips: 40 in
Thighs: 26 1/2 in
Calves 16 1/2 in
Arms: 13 in
Weight 165.3

In addition to following the plan, I did actually get all 5 days worth of exercise in. I had my 2 personal trainer days and then I did some rebounding and hula hooping one day. The other two days I remembered I had 2 Yoga Booty Ballet workouts from Beachbody. So, I did the Go Go Dance one on Saturday and then the next day was "Light and Easy" (which still has your muscles tired by the end). I'd forgotten how much I enjoy those and I felt slightly sore muscles each day after the workouts so, I'd say they are going to become somewhat regulars in my routine.

On a slightly different note, I had a guy at work come up to me and quietly say "I don't want you to think I'm a creeper or anything, but I just had to ask, have you lost some weight?" When I said I had a little bit, he responded "Well, you look like it. You look good and there is just an overall positive aura about you that different. You're carrying yourself differently and I just had to tell you. Don't think I'm being a creeper." It was so sweet, and if you knew this guy, you'd know he was sincere and is not one that would say something to be creepy. It totally made my day. I still am not seeing a lot of changes but apparently something is working even if I'm not seeing it.

Well, I'll sign off for this week. Next week with be the official last week, however I think I might mix it up and do at least 3 more weeks and see if the weeks I didn't have much success was due to my cheating or if those weeks were just not working for me.