Life After A Cleanse

It's been about 2 weeks since I completed the 28 Days to Health Cleanse and you might be wondering...

did she go back to her old ways of eating?

is she eating a bunch of junk again?

did she lose any weight?

is she drinking coffee again?

drinking wine?

eating baskets full of bread?

is she eating all those treats she has been making?

Actually, before I tell you - let me say ever since I remember, I've been allergic to wheat and milk.  I've always known how they effect me.  Too much wheat gives me headaches and too much milk would give me very bad leg cramps.  So I was extremely curious how this cleanse would effect me by eliminating both wheat and milk from my diet.

I really felt great on the cleanse.  The first day was awful and in week 3, when you drink 3 shakes a day for 4 days - that just stunk.  Other than that - it was really good.

I have not gone back to the way I was eating.  For the most part, I'm actually staying gluten and dairy free.  I still have my protein shakes in the morning for breakfast (it's so easy and I really enjoy them).  For lunch, I'll have a salad (I am having some balsamic vinaigrette which I couldn't have on the cleanse and I'm good with that).  For dinner, I'll have chicken, steak or fish with some quinoa and asparagus or butternut squash.  I'm fascinated how my tastebuds have changed.

I lost 12 pounds on the cleanse - which I was very happy about. YAY!!  And I'm making my own Latte's with Almond Milk.  I love foam and so excited that Almond Milk foams.  No more Skinny Vanilla Lattes for me.

It would be great if Starbucks or Peet's Coffee offered Almond Milk, but for now - I'm making my own with my Nespresso.

Am I having wine again?  That would be a yes!  Have I finally tasted the treats I've been making?  I have tried them and what's interesting is that sweets are VERY sweet.  I haven't been having a ton - just nibbles here and there.  I did make this last night - we had friends over for dinner.  Tasted it just to see how it was.  It was delish!

I did make some Gluten-free cupcakes and mini-donuts as well (the frosting wasn't).  These were so yummy.  I want to work on perfecting some recipes that are gluten and dairy free.

I have found that the days that I added in wheat and dairy - I got headaches...so for the most part, I'm steering clear.

All in all - it was a great experience doing the cleanse.  I hope that my posts have helped those that are on a cleanse or maybe even inspired some to actually do one.

Keep your eyes posted for more recipes...(I'll be posting here and on facebook.)

Caryl

30 Day Workout Challenge ~ Day 24

I'm on Day 24 of my 30 Day Workout Challenge.  At the beginning of this challenge - I told myself I was going to weigh myself once a week.  So after busting my bootie each week - I would get on the scale on Saturday morning (telling myself in my head...light as a feather...thin as a board ~ remember saying that when you were younger?) and I was disappointed 2 weekends in a row.

So I decided ~ forget the scale.  It was very deflating to not see the silly little number change.  I have a completely different view now...I'm not stepping on the scale.  You might wonder - well how is she tracking per progress...I'm judging my progress on how I feel.  Stronger...Lighter...Healthier. (And trying on my tight jeans and feeling them looser! :))

I've been doing a wide variety of workouts ~ running, personal training, spinning, cardio kick boxing, sculpting classes, DVD's (physique 57 and rockin models workout) and my new discovery The Dailey Method.  You can read what I've done every day here on my Facebook page.

I've done the Dailey Method for the last 4 days and I have to say - I've felt so much stronger doing this workout and I've actually discovered my triceps.  I am shocked that lifting a little 2 pound weight is actually changing my muscles.  Each time I've gone to a class - it has been different which I love.

So you might ask - what is this amazing workout that I'm loving:  The Dailey Method is similar to Physique 57.  It's a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching (lord know I need that) and orthopedic exercises.  You move through the exercises very quickly - so your heart rate stays up.

When we are in Arizona over Christmas ~ I'm going to the Scottsdale Dailey Method with my sister and niece.  I'm pretty confident they'll be hooked too.

Something to live by {Life is full of setbacks.  Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.}  Remember I handled the scale setback by not using that as a form of measuring success.

~ Caryl