Hello and TGIF!!  I wanted to give you all a recap of how my new nutrition plan is going.  I’ll share the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

THE GOOD

–          I weighed in last Sunday, which was the end of my first week and I lost 5 pounds!  Granted, it was the week following vacation so I think some of that was just losing the vacation bloat – lol!  I don’t feel like I am not losing much this week but I am okay with that.  I only want to lose a few additional pesky pounds anyway. 

–          For the most part, the food has been much better than I thought it would be.  There are some recipes that I can definitely see me incorporating into my “normal” diet after the 8 weeks is up.  While I am trying hard to strictly follow this plan as much as possible for the 8 weeks to develop new habits, I am mostly an “everything in moderation” type of person.  Once the 8 weeks is up, I know I won’t be eating *as* healthy, but at least I will have some delicious lean, clean, green meal options to incorporate into my life and hopefully my family will enjoy them as well.

–          I’ve only been hungry a couple of times.  I am eating 5 times a day so I am staying pretty full.  This has helped me stay on track.  I did eat an ice cream cone on Mother’s Day the first week.  And I subbed out a lunch meal for a lunch at Panera Bread on Mother’s Day as well.  I don’t feel one bit guilty about either decision.

–          Because I am drinking so much during the days, I have reduced my soda intake from three 12 oz. cans a day to one 12 oz. can in the afternoon after lunch when I am feeling tired.

–          Speaking of tired, while I did feel a little sluggish the first couple of days, I have found myself having more energy lately.  My running performance has been a little better as well.

THE BAD

–          I’m not going to lie, it is expensive to eat healthy.  I have never bought so much produce in my life (I keep meaning to take a picture of my shopping cart) and boy is it pricey! 

–          It is very time consuming!  We are supposed to prep for the week on Sundays but I don’t always have time on Sundays.  This past week, I did a better job and at least cooked the chicken in advance for any meal that required chicken.  I didn’t have time to cut the vegetables though and that can definitely take some time for a novice in the kitchen.  I try to prep as much as possible each night for the next day’s meals but I still find myself spending half of my lunch break slicing and dicing sometimes.  And then I am stuck in the kitchen again each evening, prepping for the next day.

–          Lots of dirty dishes.  I am CONSTANTLY running the dishwasher or hand washing dishes.  Luckily, I have a super supportive husband who has also been helping out.  I spend so much time in the kitchen lately that I think he feels sorry for me!

–          Having to figure out meals for the rest of the family since I am the only one following the plan.  Again, my hubby helps out as much as possible in this department.  And like I mentioned before, I am finding some recipes that I think my family will enjoys so I’ll eventually be making some meals for the whole family.  But when its my turn to cook for the kids, and I have to feed myself, and Gabby has to be at swim practice it becomes a struggle!

THE UGLY

–          Quinoa, Collard Greens, and Brussel Sprouts.  I’m just not a fan.  The first time I ate quinoa, I actually liked it.  But I can barely stand to look at it anymore.  I don’t know what happened, but it has not been a recent favorite.  I’m going to have to take it out of the rotation for a while.

EXERCISE

The nutrition plan also comes with a workout guide and includes workouts that I can download.  I already have a workout routine and don’t really have much time to incorporate any additional workouts, but I am very curious.  Maybe I will sub out a regular workout occasionally or try something new on the weekends.  This past week, my total mileage is at 9 miles (mileage will probably continue to be low through the middle of summer).  I incorporated speed intervals and hill training into my runs this week though.  I also attended body pump once (I plan to go tomorrow as well).  I missed yoga on Wednesday because I was spending time with my first born.  We took a 2.5 mile walk together.  I’m so happy that she wants to walk with me once a week.  She’s a teenager; I’ll take any time I can get!

That about summarizes my life over the past (almost) 2 weeks.  I’ll keep you posted on how it goes over the next 6 weeks.

QOTD – What is your most hated food?