The Eat Clean Diet and Laying It All Out On The Table

Happy Valentines Day To Me!

I had been rocking an ipod from 2005 but I had never known another ipod so I didn’t know any better.   I didn’t know I wanted this one until Mallard surprised me with it!  It takes video, works as a pedometer (I don’t use it for that thought), of course it works as the standard ipod too. 

Regarding my life and my health, I like to be up-front with all of you.  After all, this is a health blog! 

I had an outpatient surgical proceedure on Tuesday.  It wasn’t anythign major.  I want to keep this as general as I can…which is hard.  Basically, I had some issues with my reproductive system.  My OBGYN wanted to do a uterine hystoroscopy to look for polyps in my uterus.  I was put under general anesthesia for the proceedure.    He did not find polyps.  He did find that my IUC had become misplaced.  My original OBGYN could have misplaced it originally or it may have just become “mangled” over time.  So, he took out the IUC.  Unfortunately, my situation is not just that simple.  I will have to have a different surgery within a year or so to correct the real problem.  I must wait until I am able to take two weeks off from work and school to have the other proceedure performed.  I will have my IUC replaced soon since I cannot have more children right now and I love hormone-free birth control.  It was just by chance that I didn’t become pregnant with my IUC misplaced.  I can’t imagine attending nursing school while pregnant and caring for a 2 year old!

Before surgery:

 The nurse took my vitals and she told me that my heart rate was low.  She asked if I was a runner.  I said, ” I run every other day and I use the elliptical for cardio on my ‘off’ days.  But, I don’t think I consider myself a runner yet”

She also told me I had fantastic blood pressure.  For some reason, I love that compliment.

After Surgery:

I thought I would be able to get right back to my routine the next day.  After all, my doctor told me I could run, lift and do whatever I felt  “up to” the next day. 

I felt bloated and crampy the next day.  It was like the worst PMS of my life times 12…and I had to resume my parenting duties.

I didn’t try to workout until 2 days post-op and I stuck with the elliptical. 

I feel like my “old self” again now but the whole healing process made me think a lot about the wayI treat my body. 

With  lots of time to “relax” for 24 hours (which I never do) I re-read some of my favorite books about nutrition.

About a year ago, I had bought Eat Clean Diet For Kids And Family  and I loved it so much that I bought  The Eat Clean Diet .  So, when I saw The Eat Clean Diet Recharged, I was a litte too excited.  New recipes and I love it just as much as the others.   Though the d-word put me off at first these books are not in the same realm as almost all other ”diet books”  .

While I do “eat clean”, there are parts of my diet that are not considered clean.   I love Kashi cereals.   Kashi cereal is kind of on the fence when it comes to clean foods.  It’s processed yet it has a good ingredient list.  However, I just found out that it’s made by Kellogg’s, a company that I do not want to support.  The only other “unclean food” that I ingest is artificial sweetener.  No, I still haven’t kicked the habit.  Other than that, I don’t have any other “unclean” vices.  I bake but I am not a huge sweets eater so I usually don’t indulge.  Ironic that I do use artificial sweetener though. 

Eating Clean is not just about what you eat but when you eat as well.  There have been  studies that suggest total number of calories consumed is the determining factor of weight and body fat.   Basically,  it’s all calories in calories out.  Yes and no.  If one is starving all day and then consuming enough calories for a whole day at night.  Any exercise during the day will not have been as intense or effective as it would have been if the body had been properly fueled and replenished.  I do not starve all day.  But, I do find that I tend to eat less throughout my day and more in the evening. 

Healthier Habits

1. Eat more complex carbs during the day and less of them at night!  Eating the bulk of my calories and carbohydrates in the evening.  I am typically busier (as we all are) during the day so it’s easy to eat less than I realize I am.  It makes no sense to eat more of my daily carbs in the evening when I am  winding down the day.  I need them more for energy during the day!

2.  Eat earlier.  Because I don’t normally sit (other than at work) until Snuffy is ready for bed, I tend to eat my largest meal way too late.  Most days it’s within an hour of going to sleep.  Not good. I need to change that.  Tosca recommends eating no later than 4 hours before bed.  I don’t know if that’s feasible yet but I am certainly making an effort to finish my last meal earlier than I do.  Tosca also recommends eating breakfast within an hour of rising.  I never do that …ever.  That may be a future goal.

3. Less sweetener.  I need to give it up all-together but I think that would be a recipe for Splenda relapse   I am using more Truvia and other natural sweeteners.  I need to just enjoy real flavors.  But, that Starbucks Black Tea gets me everytime

4.  More protein!  I am starting to lift weights more seriously and I cannot possibly build the upper body strength that I want while consuming the minimal amount of protein that I am consuming now.   My body needs more protein if I am going to lift more and continue to run consistently.  I also need to rely less on nut butters for my protein and fat.  After I have realized that I haven’t had much fat during the day, it’s far too easy to sit down at the end of the day with some apples, pitas and obnoxious amounts of Naturally More PB .  I am expanding my protein horizons.  I will introduce more tofu, fish, a little chicken, and some new protien powder into my diet.  I realize protein powder is not the answer to every protein deficiency, but I have no problem with protein powders in moderation.  To be clear:   I will still be eating nut butters just not in the huge amounts that I have been.

5. Eat more often.  For me, very day has a different schedule.  That’s true for many of you as well and many of  you still make it possible to eat 5-6 times through your day.  Some of you even make a point to have protein and carbs at each meal.  I need to stop making excuses for eating irratically and start eating more often. 

I would eventually like to experiment with raising  my calories.  April has had great success with her quest to increase her metabolism.  Love. That. Girl’s . Blog.

I also love this girl’s blog.

I love it so much that I used her work out for my first day of my Healthier Habits Challenge .  I guess this is more of my challenging myself to get real.  But I would love some company!

I used the moves on this post as my guide for today’s workout.

Thanks , Janetha!!  I like the way you move

In other news, Snuffy turns two March 8!!

I found an organic cupcakery for the occasion!  A review will be coming !

The party will be at a place called Run JUMP and Play.

They have swingsets, treehouses and giant inflatable slides and jumping pits!  We invited 6 two year olds and 10 more  kids under age 8!! Fun times!

Recent Whole Body Loves

Broccoli + Cauliflower +Oikos+Curry Powder

Brownie Batter

The new workout plan is intense weight lifting 3 times a week and running 3 times each weeks with one rest day.  I love running but I have come to the conclusion that my body’s optimal happy place cannot be reached with running alone.  I have also seen some amazing results that others have shown from weight training.  I love my body and love to workout.  I am excited to start a new routine.  Health is a lifestyle for me but it’s also a hobby!  A new way of working out and nourishing my body is exciting for me.  I can’t wait to share the results along the way!! 

If you are an avid weight lifter/ bodybuilder or a runner who cross-trains with heavy lifting, please share your experiences and advice!  I would really appreciate it!!