Hello Divas! Today is the first day of our Cut the Crap Challenge! If you have NO idea what I am talking about, click here. Just as a reminder CRAP stands for caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and processed foods and we are eliminating them from our diets for 21 days–til January 31, 2013.
I know 21 days sounds like a long time but it actually takes about that long to create a habit.
We have done this challenge before as a class and the results were AH-MAZING! Remember, the point of the challenge is to jump-start your healthy lifestyle changes !!!
Here are some first couple of days tips:
1. Plan what you are going to eat BEFORE you get hungry!!!
2. Fill half of your plate up with NON-Starchy veggies (green stuff like spinach)!
3. Realize that when you stop eating junk, your body actually starts to DETOX!
When you stop any substance that is addictive, your body goes into withdrawal. Armed with only decaf coffee and NO candy out of my co-workers candy jar, I felt like I was waaaay overdue for a nap at 11:30am! Couple that with some computer issues and I wanted to scream! I did scream!
Sugar/junk food addiction is REAL y’all.
Know the symptoms of detox/withdrawal so that when they happen you will know that is what it is and not use it as an excuse to stop Cutting the Crap:
•Skin breakouts •Bloating, stomach pains •Headaches •Food cravings •Trouble sleeping, nightmares •Diarrhea and constipation •Fatigue, drowsiness, low energy levels •Irritability •Congestion or Mucus that feels like a cold
Think of it as deciding to dust off a very high ceiling fan in your house for the first time in years. When you start dusting, dust will almost rain down on you making you feel horrible for waiting so long and making it a hard to breathe! Once the fan is clean, the air clears and you begin to feel better!
The same goes for detoxing! You will feel the ill effects of stirring up all those toxins! Once they’re out you’ll feel better, but the process is SO NOT fabulous!
All that being said, the results of detoxing/”Cutting the CRAP” ARE FABULOUS:
•Clearer sinuses •Weight loss •Clearer skin •More energy •Regular bowel movements •Mental Clarity •Emotional stability / eliminated depression
Good luck cutting the CRAP!
*Consult your physician before starting any exercise or eating plan.
1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Day 1 is going okay. Had to do some serious grocery shopping to avoid not being ready for a meal when hunger strikes! Going to try protein smoothies for breakfast on some days.
This first week has been all about education for me. I am shocked how much our family eats that is processed or contains refined sugars! For breakfast today I wanted to try something other than my whole wheat english muffin and egg whites. I was tempted bu the forbidden sugar coated cereal but I found a box of 100% Irish oats. They are simple to make (microwaveable) and actually quite tasty. I added a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of brown sugar. My husband promptly told me brown sugar was refined, I desputed this fact, but one quick google search told me I was wrong! (I hate it when that happens!) so tomorrow I will try cinnamon and agave nectar. Let you know how that turns out. But I would recommend the Irish oaks as a warm breakfast alternative to the little Quakers processed, refined brand. I found mine at target in the grocery section. Have a great weekend ladies!