21 day Detox Ends

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be... but I know that I didn't follow the Detox plan to a "t".  The first week I definitely did (both nutrition and work out).  The 2nd week I followed the workout plan, but had added "adult beverages" didn't stick to my 2/week.  The 3rd week I biked, swam, and ran, but didn't do all 6 of the daily 21 minute workouts she has for the program and I didn't keep to the minimum of "adult beverages". 

No worries no need to call AA, just had a couple of social nights where I didn't indulge in all the sweets like I normally would, but did enjoy having some beverages. 

So where did all this get me.  At the start I weighed 4.5 lbs heavier than I do today.  the first week I lost 3 lbs and the 2nd week I lost 2.5 and the third week I maintained my overall weight with no gain or loss.  I did measurements: waist, bust, hips, and abs and I believe I lost in all areas- the most I lost was in my hips.  However, I think measuring yourself is really hard and subjective so not going to get overly excited about the difference in number.  Weight loss and decreased measurements weren't my goal, but just sharing because to me was amazing to see how it does change your body/figure (in just 21 days). 

Besides the numbers I do definitely feel my nutrition improved just by all the different vegetables, fruits, etc I tried for the first time.  My portions were well controlled.  My water intake was up there.  My caffeine intake was controlled and my sugar/sweets consumption were definitely decreased. 

I felt pretty good throughout it all, minus day 9 of the detox when I seriously felt like if I didn't have any carbs I wasn't going to be able to function- I had that "brain fog" and no I wasn't sleep deprived, dehydrated, or hung-over :)- I truly think I was missing carbs.  I picked heavier carb items for my meals (whole wheat macaroni noodles, quinoa, multi-grain English muffins, etc) and felt better.  After that passed I really didn't have any other complaints.  Well you know that isn't totally true- I won't be eating Beets again for a long time. 

I liked the meal prep and having my meals planned out for me.  I'm a planner so this was a fun thing.  I did a lot of ahead cooking on Sundays for the work week and then by Thursday/Friday had more time on my off days not too cook.  I do think grocery shopping becomes UBER organized because of meal prep too. 

The added workouts to my three runs, one swim and one bike day/week were good/challenging and I think needed.  I don't think I can workout more than about 6 days in a row though- body kind of shuts down.  I did 8 in a row during the detox and that 9th day I really needed a break.  I think strength training definitely helps and her core/arms workouts were some of my favorites. 

You don't want to know how many Monster Cookies I ate tonight

 

So where from here... I'm looking at training plans for my 2014 races and part of this training will definitely to be keeping the bar high for nutrition, hydration and sleep.  This detox was a good start for the new year and I'm glad I did it first and didn't do it at the same time as starting a training plan- I would have been too overwhelmed.  I know it doesn't sound overwhelming, but when you go from the Holiday season to drinking and eating whatever your heart desires to planned, healthy, portion controlled meals- if I had added training onto that I would have failed.  So tonight I'm enjoying my excess of Monster Cookies from my good friend and drinking some "Natalie pours" of Layered Cake Syrah.  But tomorrow morning back to the pool super early along with my planned meals and good water intake and no fun "adult beverage"/Monster cookie night :).   

Pool time

So life is busy and I constantly feel like I'm running and planning my day down to the minutes. Tonight no difference. I planned to leave around 5pm head to the pool and get in the pool and swim my 1000 yds before daughter's swim lessons at 6 pm. So I get to the pool and find every lane except one with two swimmers so I walk up to the only lane that has one and say "We're going to have to share the lane". She said "what." And I repeated myself. She stated "You need to ask me and not use that tone".

I walked away and started getting changed and I truly believe God or whatever higher being you believe in knew I needed a break. A guy got out of a lane a ways away from lady in solo lane and he smiled and I said, with of course a "change in tone"-"Are you done?"  Yep and he was on his way.

I got in the water and started swimming and knew by my breathing that the lady had really bothered me-I know big surprise. I asked myself- "was I in the wrong, why didn't she see that herself taking the whole lane with up with her floatation device and noodle not even doing laps but water exercise  was just as rude as my "tone, why couldn't she see that I was a mom trying to multitask and have my kido sit nicely with her 'hidden dinner- bc you know no food in pool' IPad  and books and try and squeeze in a needed 1000, why couldn't she just not be a ----- and just move over and let me deal with getting this done?"

I know I can be better and behave better, but I felt OK walking away- and I'm sure she has some choice thoughts about that ----- with the kid and 'tone' at the pool.

Why did this bother me- because I was already stressed about trying to swim faster, 'longer', breath every 3rd stroke, switching sides when breathing and not stopping at the wall- this all learned the other night at my swim evaluation with lady who teaches private lessons and I met through my tri club. (Digression from above- she said my stroke was good, I needed to elongate my body, reach out and pull down with my arms, work on interval swimming- 1 fast lap followed by 2 recovery, no breaks, work on every 3rd breath d/t the more you breath/more frequent the more energy expenditure- it was a great evaluation and lots to work on. The biggest goal was when I told her my goal of 1/2IM she said I just need to work on endurance and time- goal of 1000yd in 20 minutes- right now I'm swimming 1000 in about 35. She says she feels that is very doable, but I left feeling pretty overwhelmed and thinking " what did I get myself into".

So I need to not let my internal stress affect my outward emotions. I really don't know that I would have said what I did any differently, but maybe I wouldn't have to stew over it soon much. With that I'm letting go- this is done, on toward another day.

Week 2: 21 day detox...

I was pretty much dreading this week even before it got started.  At the end of week one I felt lethargic, low energy and like I could nap every day.  Now it didn't have day 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 into the 21 day detox, but day 6, and 7.  Day 8 I worked out and had a pretty crappy workout- 1 mile run on treadmill and my "get rid of the jig WO 1" .  I decided that day that I needed a rest day and so I did just that on Tuesday.  I also felt like I picked more items that I enjoyed this week to eat and I also did a little improvising- before workouts in the wee hours of morning I had a no sugar added apple sauce and 2 T almonds before heading to the gym.  That helped me energy during the workouts and I felt less like "barfing" at the end of the WO. 

Favorite eats/drinks of the week:
1.Potatoes Breakfast Scramble- Red potatoes quartered roasted with red onions, scrambled eggs, 1/4 avocado added at the end and borrowed some Tapatillo sauce for a kick
2. Mango Moonlight Smoothie- Don't normally like Mangos, but really liked this and so did youngest child
3. Banana Bread- Super moist, applesauce, pumpkin puree, bananas, whole wheat/flour mix, pecans- YUMMY!
4.Cauliflower Mac N Cheese- YUMMY- Double YUMMY!  Cook cauliflower for about 25 minutes and then put in food processor with cheddar cheese, mustard, salt/pepper and some water from your cauliflower pot- puree and make a yummy cheese sauce you then add to whole wheat elbow macaroni noodles and yellow squash that has been grated and stirred into noodles- mix and add bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese to top and bake- AWESOME (another item youngest child liked)
5. Mini Turkey Meatloaves- ground turkey, red pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, onion and quinoa- YUMMY plus even better with some Cookies Wing Sauce (love that stuff)


Didn't really HATE anything this week, but have come to the conclusion I don't enjoy orange sauce on my chicken or beef (you know the kind you sometimes get with Chinese stir fry dishes).  Had a great plate of carrots, onions, broccoli, chicken and quinoa tonight and it was ruined by the orange sauce I added. 

Things I didn't do well this week: Didn't abide by the Detox 100%- had a total of 5 adult beverages during the week- only suppose to have 2.  Added more caffeine then likely needed.  And discovered I really do a poor job of drinking H2O when at home- had to really push myself at the end of a "home day" to meet my H2O intake.

Workout wise:  Took a rest day off which I think was really helpful.  I ran 9 miles, spin miles 16, swam 1250 meters (about 0.7 miles) and did all but one of the added WO from the 21 day detox- left out Legs #2 WO.  I also had two days which I stretched for 10 minutes following my workouts and that was very enjoyable.  You always learn from training, etc, and I learned today that doing a "tri/arms WO" the day before you swim is not the smartest.  My arms were fatigued, but I did notice after about 500 meters they loosened up.  Was suppose to have swim evaluation on Thursday night, but instructor was sick, which ended up O.K. because oldest kido came down with Strep. 

Onto week #3- I'm looking forward to this week and kind of at a point where I need to figure out how I am going to continue this eating/training lifestyle, but not feel "bad/guilty" if I have added adult beverages or an occasional candy binge :).  I do think that planning what you are going to eat- really down to the "T" makes you accountable.  Plus if you spend money and time on prepping/preparing for your meals throughout the week you won't give up on them. 

Week one down... 14 days to go... no I'm not counting :)

Week one went pretty well with the 21 day detox.  I definitely eat much more healthy and better portion control when I have prepped, prepared, thoughtfully planned a week of eating.  Here are some random thoughts/musings from the week.

- I bought vegetables and cooked vegetables I had never personally cooked before (and some I had never eaten): Eggplant (pretty o.k.), Spaghetti Squash (one of my favorites from this week), Ginger Root (not overly impressed), and Beets (don't think I need to add any more disdain for this vegetable)

- Working out with 3 days of running, one swim, one bike and 6 workouts (roughly 20 minutes) of strength or specific muscle focus (abs, legs, arms, etc) has made me feel worn out

- I do a better job with drinking water when at work then when at home

- Had one light beer, and about 8 ounces of wine this weekend and survived :)

- Still haven't rid myself of feeling like eating bad/drinking "adult beverages" when "down n out" Why is emotional eating so darn tough

Favorite meals/Smoothies/Snacks of the week:
1- Spaghetti Squash with Tomato, Green Pepper, garlic, onion sauce
2- Roasted Tenderloin with Roasted Cauliflower, and Yellow Pepper, Pineapple, Red Onion, Golden Apple Sauteed mix for side
3- Apple/Pear Crumble (topping sounds gross, but was good- Flax Seed and Garbanzo beans pureed)
- Moonlight Mango Smoothie

Meals/Smoothies/Snacks I won't make again:
1- Ratatouille
2- Detox Beet Juice
3-Spinach Banzo Curry soup
4- Really any smoothie that doesn't have a minor sugar component from fruit I don't enjoy

Workouts were tough- I did my normal mileage for runs, swim, but adding on the extra workout you would have thought I was an Olympic athlete doing 3 a days.  Also started spin this week.  Felt good with the bike time. 

Did good with getting good sleep, but still took an 1 hour and 1/2 nap on Thursday- late morning- just felt totally done. 

Well onto week 2- hope I can do as well this week as I did last- you know how motivation/enthusiasm/etc decrease over time- I'm hoping to keep going. 

Not this... More that

So this morning I started my 21 day detox. I spent Sat and Sun food prepping which makes this plan lots easier.

This morning I started off with a beet detox juice. I don't have a juicer but from my experience with past detox plan I've been able to use blender. This worked well as long as I cooked the majority of ingredients. I got out my Joy of cooking cookbook to learn how exactly to cook a beet, how to use ginger root ( you boil the beets with 1-2" of stalk on and the root bulb and when they become tender glove up and peel top layer and stalk off- gloves help you protect hands from getting stained, ginger you peel it and cut off what you need- a little goes a long way). I steamed the carrots, but didn't cook/steam celery or parsley. Put all of these together in the blender with a little water and Walah a smoothie- but after three straw sips I was done- I seriously thought I was going to vomit. So beets are not for me.

However, dinner a totally different story. Spaghetti squash with Ragu Tomato, Garlic, Onion flavored sauce with added ingredients of two green bell peppers, 3 cloves garlic diced up, sautéed and puréed and then added to sauce- seriously Yummy!

Beets in the trash. Three other servings of spaghetti squash and sauce for me to enjoy in the coming days. Here is to trying Beets- letting them go and finding Spaghetti Squash.

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What's in store for 2014...

I was running on Christmas Day from in-laws' house to my parents' house and it hit me, kind of like it hit me last November when I realized I wasn't going to be running Chicago, but this year I was hit "hard"- 

I'm going to attempt a Half Iron Man- Goal: Pigman 1/2 Ironman August 17, 2014.  What does this mean- I'm going to be running, swimming and biking a lot this year.  The race itself will be totally challenging:  Distances: Swim (2112.00 yards) Bike (56.00 miles) Run (13.10 miles) , but as I know from marathon training it isn't the race it is all the work/training you do before the big day. 

Before I get too excited there are a couple of things I need to get done...

1. Don't have a bike to ride- so went and did a little bike shopping with hubby and found a great deal at local bike shop back home.  I went with a Trek Lexa S (it is the starter of the series).  I tried the other bikes in the series and they just were too big for me or I didn't like the components.  I was super intimidated to try a road bike- the tires are so thin and the bike is so light.  However, I got on the bike I ended up buying first and felt totally comfortable.  So now the bike problem is taken care of- just have to learn to ride :).

2. Joined a tri club in our town.  This will help me meet people who have much more practice and experience in triathlon racing/training.  Second- great perks- discounts at all the great riding, racing stores around town, and group events (i.e. spin classes I can go to without having to join that specific gym).  So my issue with trying to figure out how to up my mileage on the bike  in winter is going to be taken care of with the addition of classes I can go to weekly with other triathletes. 

3. Swimming- I'm an o.k. swimmer, but if I am going to spend time and money on training and racing I want to know that I am swimming correctly.  For instance, I know I should be breathing on both my right and left side, but I really only breath on my right (meaning I turn my head to the right every time I take a breath).  I also have gotten into the pattern of breathing every stroke, which I don't think is swim etiquette or efficient.  So I know I need to take lessons or at least have swim evaluation- enter another great benefit of joining the tri club.  I posted a question about whether there are any coaches/swim events up coming.  I missed a swim clinic they had a month ago, but one of their main administrators teaches swim lessons so hubby an I are being "evaluated" in couple of weeks.  I'm super excited because both of us have wanted to do this and it will so help our swimming and  training. 

4. I don't have any problem following training schedules- I've really become acclimated to working out 6 days a week, but this is going to be a whole different sort of training- some days 2 a day workouts.  So in order to stay on track I will follow a training plan.  Super Simple Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Training Plan - Triathlete.com  Is the one I think I'm going to follow.  Matt Fitzgerald has put together what looks like a "doable" 16 week training plan. Since the tri isn't until August I will however, not be sitting on my duff.  I plan to do some races prior to that one- hopefully a 1/2 marathon in May, sprint tri in June, and sprint tri a few weeks before the 1/2 IM. 

5. Last, but not least, I figure if I am going to spend all this time and money on training for my ultimate goal of 1/2 IM this year I should probably put a little more effort into eating/fueling my body better.  I've decided that I'm going to try a  21 day Detox- no it isn't one of those weird drink green tea all day long diets, but instead is based on eating "colorfully".  Teresa Howes of http://teresamariehowes.com/ - her blog Eat.Drink.BeSkinny, offered the 21 Day Color You Skinny Detox.  I liked her approach to nutrition, because she states right off the bat that you can have your coffee, dessert and adult beverages, but you have to make decisions on the kinds of "treats" and portion of these items.  I also like her because she seems real to me- she is training for the Boston Marathon right now- so isn't just all "eat healthy", but incorporates exercise 6  days a week into her Detox.  I've done some of her 30 day challenges and have enjoyed the challenge.  The Detox is going to be interesting, but I really feel like if I'm going to strive for the 1/2 IM I need to have all the extra help/fuel I can get. 

That said- I'm off to bed to try and get back on a normal sleep schedule.  I've been staying up late and sleeping in the last 5 days that I've taken off from working out.  It has been good to sleep in and stay up late, but my energy has been low and I attribute that to lack of exercise and my sleeping pattern.  Tomorrow is back to the normal routine.  I've had two weeks off work, have pretty much drank a 1/2 pot or more of coffee a day (it is so easy to drink tons of coffee when hanging out with our family-also easy to drink adult beverages too), and eaten/drank like you would have thought it was the last meal of my life- several days/nights in a row. Ready for 2014!

December Reading and Recap of Reads in 2013

December seem to fly by.  However, got some good reading done this past month.  Feel good to be able to write some young adult/kid's chapter books in the list, because I was hoping to read more with the kids.  We have found a fun series with Annie Barrows "Ivy and Bean" series.  We read "Ivy and Bean Break the Fossil Record" and "Ivy and Bean: Bound to Be Bad".  We had to skip book 4 because it wasn't in at the library, however, Grandma Xmas (aka Sophie) came through when she bought the 4th book in the series over break while we shopped at B and N. 

The other books I read this month:
"A Photographer's Life 1990-2005 by Annie Leibovitz  This was not my usual pick, but I was looking for some inspiration, dreamily thinking I would have time to be creative and write some posts, last month, about great pictures I've seen.  So I picked this big old book out and found it had some interesting photographs, but more interesting was the relationship I discovered by Leibovitz and her main subject/muse... Susan Santog.  Annie and Susan were partners for great portion of Susan's last years of her life.  This book has many other figures in it: Joan Didion, Johnny Cash, etc, but what struck me was the way in which she shot some pretty personal pictures of her partner Susan and the birth of her children ( one she birthed herself, the other via surrogate- 3 girls total: 2 twins.)  She also has some beautiful/genuine pictures of her parents.  After looking at the pictures and learning her story I looked up a little more about Annie and sadly, like so many, successful people, she has been having money problems and was not really noticed in Susan's obituary as her partner of numerous years (how hurtful would that be).  Why do successful people have money issues- probably the same answer as the rest of us who have money issues- living outside our means... 

"The Golden Tulip" by Rosalind Laker- GREAT book!  Historical fiction and story takes place during Vermeer's artistic period and he is one of the characters in the book.  The main character is a woman, the oldest of three girls of a famous Amsterdam artist (who is widowed and is also a gambler).  She is aspiring to be an artist like her father.  The three sisters in the book have typical sisterly relationship and are all different in their own ways.  This story was very enjoyable and I was sad to see the book end.  Plan on reading some of Rosalind's other books.

"The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh- Another Great read.  Can't write too much due to it being a book club book and so many of my bookies read my posts, so don't want to give anything about the book away, but I will say this book as stimulated my interest in learning more about "language of flowers". 

"Christmas Journey" by Anne Perry  Didn't like this book at all and glad it was short.  It was in the mystery section and I haven't read anything by Anne Perry so thought since it had a Christmas theme and a mystery would be good, but was really disappointed.  Mysteries to me are suppose to be highly entertaining and this one wasn't. 

Well that's December, what about the rest of the year.
Total books read:  58
Total audiobooks: 4
Favorite book: "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed
Close 2nd, 3rd: "The Golden Tulip" by Rosalind Laker and "Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake" by Anna Quindlen

Looking back I read quite a bit of nonfiction and young adult literature.  I didn't listen to that many audiobooks this year, but hoping with some higher mileage/training ahead for me I'll get some good listening done over the next year.  I of course have already started my "to read" list for 2014.  Here are a few on the list:
"Blue Asylum" by Kathy Hepinstall
"The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty
"Happier at home" by Gretchen Rubin (she wrote the Happiness Project which I really enjoyed)
"I'll Be Seeing You" by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan
"Life after Life" by Jill McCorkle
"Margot" by Jillian Cantor
"The Occupation of Eliza Goode" by Shelley Fraser Mickle
"The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian

It will be interesting to see how many of these I actually read.  I also have a shelf, almost full, of "to read" books in my reading room, also.  So many books, so little time- Happy Reading 2014!

December and year end running recap

December- total mileage: 49 mile
                - goal was run 1 mile or more each day in December- Met Goal
                - 30 day challenge (Teresa Howes eatfitbeskinny.com)- comprised 30 days of different prescribed activity: 100 push ups, 100 lunges, 100 abs, run a mile, tricep day, plank day, and one day of your choice ( rest day or pick your favorite and repeat or test yourself and do all)- Met Goal and proud to say never took a rest day always picked Abs to repeat because i need to whittle that stomach away :)

Did some swims and a couple of bike activities, but nothing too intense. Was a good month of activity, but not high mileage.

Running 2013 Recap
Goal of 1,000 miles running- Not Met
Total mileage ran: 780

I think I didn't meet the mileage goal because I ran no marathon this year and that is when I normally pile up the miles. Don't get me wrong I wasn't a slug and did plenty of racing, just didn't do the long distance training. My farthest run all year- 13.1 (several times). My highest mileage came in September with 93. My shortest mileage month was February with 38 ( I also took a week off in Feb hence adding to the lower mileage).

Races I ran in 2013:
1. Leprechaun Dash 10k- March
2. Ronald McDonald 1/2 marathon Iowa City- May
3. Chicago Women's 1/2 marathon- June
4. Sprint Tri Oswego- August
5. 5K for Healthy Kids Iowa City- August
6. Run for Schools 1/2 marathon Iowa City- October
7. Food Run 5K Coralville- November

Favorite race of 2013- Run for Schools (even though the last hill killed me mentally). It was perfect running weather and had my favorite cheering crew- my kids and hubby.

I'm also happy to write that 2 of the above races I ran with my son- super fun and the best to be able to tell your child to "take off" or " leave me" at the end and see him sprint to the finish line! Darn I wish I had those fast twitch muscles.

Great year of running! Super excited for what I have in store for 2014.