3 Month Update and Progress Pics (Ah!)

Today marks 3 months since I made the decision to change my life for good. 3 months of learning, of baby steps, of good decisions. 3 months of clean eating, of hard work, of working out, of sweat and sore muscles.

As of this morning, I’m down: 53.6 pounds!

Obviously, I’m super excited about losing the weight, but what I’m trying to be more excited about are the non-scale victories.

• I’m down 2 pant sizes. (I have a stack of clothes I can’t wear anymore because they’re too big!)
• I can walk up “the hill” without stopping to rest. (In case I haven’t mentioned it, “the hill” is this long/steep hill I found near my house, the first time I tried to walk up it, I had to stop many times to catch my breath and ease my screaming leg muscles.)
  
• Today I am starting week 4 of T25 (Week 1, I thought I was going to die after every workout – I still feel like that now, but now I like the feeling!)
• I’m proud of myself every day.
• I’m more knowledgeable about health and nutrition.
• I’m inspiring others.
• I feel stronger.
• Quite simply, I just feel so much better. Emotionally and physically.

And now for something I said I wasn’t going to do. Progress pics.  It’s not that I have anything against them in general, but come on, I don’t wanna put embarrassing full body pics of myself online. But, I’ve decided to stop looking at it that way. Its hard for me to see my own physical progress because I look at myself in the mirror every day and really, I feel like I look the exact same.

I have been taking photos w/ my phone just so I can look at them personally, but I know it inspires me to see other people’s progress pics, so I thought I should post them.  So please excuse the horrible quality of these photos, the dirty mirror and the dirty clothes in the background – they weren’t taken with the intention of sharing.

Left: taken about a month into my journey.
Right: taken this weekend (10/26/13)

Left: taken about a month into my journey.
Middle: taken about a month and a half in.
Right: taken this weekend (10/26/13)

I think I see the biggest difference in this photo – so happy that my stomach is shrinking.

These t-shirts are the same – just in different colors.

Well, now that that’s over with, I just want to say thanks to everyone for all of the love, support and encouragement. It helps keep me going. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m motivated.

Every morning I wake up and tell myself: I can do this.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

j,ft❤

Paleo Caesar Salad Dressing

Paleo Caesar Dressing

2 Tbsp. Anchovy paste
4 Cloves of Garlic, minced
4 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Egg Yolk
2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
Juice of 1/2 of a Lemon
1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Hot Sauce, to taste (I used a few dashes of Tabasco sauce)
Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste

1. Put everything except the olive oil, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
2. Scrape the sides and make sure everything is mixed. Turn your food processor on and slowly pour the olive oil in. 
3. Taste.  Add as much salt and pepper as you like and give it a final pulse.  
4. Pour it into a jar and stick it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
5. Eat it.

j,ft❤

Cinnamon-Raisin Ezekiel Bread French Toast w. Maple-Berry Protein Syrup

 Cinnamon-Raisin Ezekiel Bread French Toast w. Maple-Berry Protein Syrup (Single Serving)

For the toast:
– 2 pieces cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread
– 2 eggs
– 3 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk
– 1/4 t cinnamon
– 1/4 t vanilla
– pinch of salt

Mix eggs, almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt together in a shallow dish.  Place bread in mixture to soak. After a few minutes, turn them over.  My bread soaked up every drop of the mixture. In a pan, melt some butter or warm up some coconut oil.  Cook french toast until golden brown on each side.

For the syrup:
– 1 T pure maple syrup
– 1 T butter (melted)
– 1 T vanilla protein powder
– 3/4 c frozen mixed berries
– Dash of cinnamon
– pinch of salt

In a small sauce pan, whisk together: maple syrup, melted butter, protein powder, cinnamon and salt.  Once combined, add berries.  Bring mixture to a simmer over low heat, stir frequently and reduce until berries break down and mixture reaches desired consistency.

Top toast with syrup and stuff your face. Believe me, this is delicious!!!

What’s Working for Me

In mid-July, my Dad had a heart attack.  It was scary and horrible, but thankfully, he’s okay.  He was only 51.  It was a life changing experience. 

My Mom, Dad and I decided that we were going to change things in our life.  That we were going to get healthy.  Starting July 28th, 2013 we drastically changed our lifestyle and none of us are looking back. 

Our plan?  Just eat real food.

So, what does that mean?  For me, it’s three things.

1) NO sugar (I use honey, maple syrup and coconut sugar to sweeten things – in moderation)
2) NO white or wheat flour (I use what I call “alternative” flours – coconut, garbanzo bean, barley, brown rice, almond, etc.)
3) NO processed foods

I don’t count calories or restrict myself in any other way.  When I’m hungry, I eat.  I just eat real, good food.  When I grocery shop, 90% of my cart is fresh vegetables and fruit. I eat a lot of veggies.  I eat fruit, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, etc).  I eat meat in moderation (mostly meat from my parent’s farm – I’m not a big fan of commercially processed meat).

It’s not always easy, but we are learning as we go and in the two months we’ve been going, we’ve all had incredible results. 

In exactly two months, I’ve lost 40.6 pounds. Mom and Dad have lost 22 and 36 respectively.

Whenever I’m craving something that doesn’t fit in within my guidelines, I think to myself – what do I want more: A) Do I want to eat X now and have a heart attack when I’m 51 or B) Do I want to skip it and be healthy.  So far, the answer has always been B.

Mom, Dad and I are determined to keep it up.  We’re determined to get healthy.  We aren’t focusing on the numbers on the scale or what foods we aren’t “allowed” to eat any more.  Instead we are focusing on how good it will feel to be healthy and happy and we’re focusing on all of the delicious food we ARE able to eat.