Its amazing what we are capable of.....

So as of my last post, I told you all that I have been striving for the healthier lifestyle for my family and I. We have been cooking low carb/ carb free, and totally  clean. No processed foods, no added sugars, healthy snacks, things of that sort.

Some things are loved. Some things are "liked" and others are hated (by the other 3, i have LOVED everything i have made/tasted).

I find healthier food to be incredibly flavorful and so much more enjoyable! (but i will get to the food later)

 I do want to start with explaining my exercise regimen.

Running is one of my favorite things to do. I had lost sight of that for a while, but its like riding a bike... i just had to force myself to lace up those shoes.

So each day I run. I run until im tired, or my time is up (work,school,kids home).
When I started this 12 days ago, i started at running in intervals for a mile; but i couldnt even run a solid .3 without stopping and switching to walking..... embarrassing i know, but its fact, the cold hard truth. I slowly climbed up, little by little, and today I ran 1.71 miles (nonstop)! If I can do that, anyone can! It takes determination, and heart..... and I have alot of both of those!

So after my run, I drink my bottle of water, cool down a bit, then I start the other pieces of my daily routine.

My first workout is ALWAYS this.........

At first it was excruciating on my thighs haha. And yes, you feel silly at first, but bring out that confidence. Now its just my warm-up.

Next is SQUATS and I always use this..........

And a CHALLENGE it is!! the first time I did it, I lasted until the first squat hold.... Yesterday and today I did the whole song........ Just pace yourself, but I have already noticed a BIG difference in my lower body, especially my booty ;)

Last is always PLANKS!! (I dont use this video, but this is how I do my planks, and To this song as well)...... I still cant finish the whole song, but soon.

The last couple of days I have added in a few more things. I have been noticing big big changes in my body, but i still have massive love handles so i started this one today.... 

Cooking gis always a passion of mine..... and I love to cook NEW things. But when you are busy, and you have a full time job, kids, busy husband, multiple jobs, multiple kids to take care of all day, whatever your daily is, it is easier to just make simple, but ultimately unhealthy meals. I always used "well my kids wont eat that," "i dont have time to cook like that" or "my cooking isnt processed so its not so bad for us" excuses. Since I started this clean eating and no carb routine it is amazingly easy, and my kids are enjoying what they eat! Of course it is still a learning curve, as everything always is, but i am so happy with the results.

So here are a few photos of meals i have prepared that are very healthy, and tasty but the best part is they are Pretty fast to prepare!! 

couliflower pizza crust

egg whites, sauteed spinach, and fresh fruit

cauiliflower pizza

broc & egg muffins, and ham poached egg & feta muffins

philly suffed green peppers

greek yogurt, raw granola, and a portebella mushroom cooked with an egg inside

fajita veggie steak wrap, red quinua and watermelon

baby kale, spinach, arugala, grilled chicken salad with watermelon

ham/egg cups, cottage  cheese topped with banana peppers

cabbage rolls, and mashed cauliflower 

Thats all for today becausee I need to head out! 

Long Time, No see.

Hey!

Wow, its been a while eh' ? What can I say, I've had a very busy life lately! Working full time with 2 active kids and a working/schooling husband leaves little time to sit on the computer anymore, so tragic. Well anyways, life has been great lately, and lots of things have changed since I blogged last! I'm not going to spend a great deal of time chronicalizing everything that has changed, but just know, everything is going well. Stressful, but well. BUSY, but well.

But I am going to take a while to blog about what has changed for the BEST for us recently!

I have had enough of SQUEEZING myself into my jeans. As some of you know, I am an emotional eater. Stressed? I eat. Mad? I eat. Bored? I eat. And as it once was just a comforting tool (not a good tool,but its truth) it had turned into a terrible habit, and my mood & body had suffered from it. No longer was I comforting myself, I was just feeding my horrible habit.

So in recent days (7 to be exact) I have set our family on a life changing journey. I have found a new way of cooking.

In previous years, when i "diet" I just eat my healthy food, and my family continued to eat home cooking. Now as it wasnt frozen/processed and home cooked, doesnt necessarily mean it was healthy! so this time around, we are changing EVERYTHING and the kids are eating it too! And guess what??? none of us have died! Score!

SO in just 7 days I have lost 6+ pounds.I Feel so CLEAN and healthy. BUT as I have created a habit of running and exercising which is now my stress relief again, old habits die hard, and as I learned last night, im not perfect, nor "cured" of emotional eating.

I had a rough day yesterday...... Just lots of little things that merged all together and it wasnt my finest moment. I called Brian at 9pm, on my way home from work and Informed him that i had a bad day and I was picking up some unhealthy food to come home and sit on the couch and engorge myself. He started telling me, "no you arent, its too late to eat, and you dont need to eat" (being helpful) but all that does is keep turning me in the wrong direction... I immediately became enraged and drove myself to family fare where i purchased a box of perogies and a small tub of sour cream (my kryptonite) ... I ventured home where he greeted me, grabbed the bag out of my hand and told me to go upstairs, take a relaxing shower before i made any rash decisions. Once upstairs i found candles lit and the tub ready.... he even had my jammies ready and my stress relief cream. (yes i have a keeper!) I indulged in a very relaxing bath and came back downstairs thinking clearly. I walked into the kitchen and brian was sauteeing a handful of perogies for me, (opposed to the entire box and the tub of sour cream). Have I said lately that I LOVE my husband?

So i sit on the couch, he brings me my plate of emotional perogies, and propped my feet up. We chatted while i slowly ate a couple of perogies while he massaged my feet. (This is not a typical scene at our house, but he knew i needed him emotionally). I had 5 perogies (not proud,but i could have done MUCH worse!! normally i eat the whole box and tub of sour cream).

You know what the best part of that whole scenario is? I realized that "Comfort Eating" is not at all comforting!! All i felt while eating that is dissapointment, and reverting back to my old ways.

From here I move forward. I am not human.

Why did i tell you that story you may be wondering?!  I told you that story because its truth. Its real life. It isn't sugar coated and its embarrasing and disgusting.... But other people go through the same things as I do, whether they life to admit it or not.....so as I am trying to change, maybe my words can help!

Find a NEW outlet! One that doesnt involve a fork!

Mine is running..... the feeling I get when i pop in my earbuds and start pounding that sidewalk with my feet is indescribable. My thoughts release with each stride. I focus on the music, I focus on my breathing. Nothing matters, Just me, and my feet.

Find your stride. If I can, You sure as hell can.

SO We start week 2 today! I have already ran my mile, did a squat workout, 3 30 second planks, 10 push ups. (not much but its something). I feel wonderful, and strong.  I am improving my quality of life, and I AM IN CHARGE!