Day 4! Cheating, fat bombs, and food.

Congrats, you've made it to day four, which is more than I can say. I was super gung-ho about not falling off the wagon for my birthday, but I have terrible balance. They don't make wagons like they used to. As part of turning old, I went out with a friend for sushi, which is my ultimate oh-my-God-my-mouth-is-so-happy food. Now, fish isn't the crime. The rice...that's my confession. Do I regret it? Not the first roll, and not the 24th roll. I stayed away from the free birthday dessert, so there's my saving grace.

Back at it today. Shoulder workout. I figure the best way to look like I have a slim waist without actually getting slimmer is to get bigger shoulders. Whole lot of drop sets and failing today, it was wonderful. So for the following, all were drop sets to fail.

Arnold Press
Lateral Raise
Rotator extensions
Rear pec decs
Clean and Press

Followed by 25 minutes of spinning. I can't get over how much I hate spinning. I wish I could do more.

Today's breakfast was some lean ground turkey cooked in coconut oil with spinach, kale, broccoli, and onions. I'm so creative.

Being low carb means I eat high fat (which is the Paleo way of getting shit done!) Almost every Paleo guru has their favorite fat bomb, and I made mine today for lunch. My goal is to reach ketosis, which is a low carb/moderate protein/high fat way of things, which turns your body away from carbohydrates and makes it love and live off of fat. If you're easily disgusted, don't read what's in my fat bomb.

One whole avocado topped with:
Organic coconut flakes
Coconut oil
One pouch of almond butter
Chopped up macadamia nuts

Clearly, I don't give a rip about calories, and you shouldn't either. Fat calories metabolize better anyway. Eat that and try to be hungry in the next four hours...it won't happen.

I had a great night's sleep, and I've noticed that I'm holding on to much less water since dropping the carbohydrates. I have yet to touch a sweet potato post-workout. It's been a whole week.

To the recipe!!! My meals are super lame because I'm not creative nor do I have the time to make awesome shit anymore, but if you want to tickle your tastebuds while still detoxing, might I suggest the amazing zucchini noodles with garlic, topped with a Paleo spaghetti sauce, which can also be found on this page. Click the picture, CLIIIIICK IT!

I hope you all are enjoying your journey to find the best in yourself. Happy Thursday!

Day 3! Happy birthday to me! (And a 21 DSD dessert!)

I'm officially old. I had to say that because it's a Sex and the City quote. I'm obsessed with that show. Anywho. Here's hoping that this year is absolutely nothing like this past year. The only way it could have been more unfortunate is if I'd somehow died. Dramatic, much?

This morning at the gym everyone said happy birthday. I only bring this up because that shows how much I'm there. Somehow, everyone knows it's my birthday. I should really find other things to do. Like, scrapbooking. (What the f*** is scrapbooking?!) The best thing I heard other than happy birthday? "Who does squats on their birthday?!"

I do. I do a lot of them. And now my ass hurts. And my hamstrings. My quads too. It's glorious.

I really timed this detox wrong. I could have waited until after my birthday so that I could indulge in donuts, cookies, cake, ice cream, and other shit, but look at me go. Nope. I'll eat my spoonful of almond butter and smile, although I'm whining on the inside.

Before I say what my workout was today, you should know the term "Giant Set". It's like a superset, only with three exercises instead of two. 

Giant set of:

20 Leg Press

10 ATG (Ass to Ground) squats

10 Smith machine squats

Do that 4 times, then

5 supersets of leg curls and leg extensions

3 sets of 10 step ups (24" box) ((That's 10/leg, don't be skimpin'))

50 Sumo Squats (See image)

I followed that up with 25 minutes of spinning. Boom. Dead legs.

I haven't been noticing any cravings lately, except for fats. I have been eating coconut oil by the spoonful, but that's okay, you can never have enough of that shit. I did have a One-Serving pouch of almond butter today, but hey, it's my birthday. Are any of you experiencing troubles sleeping/cravings/hating of life?

Actually, since it's my birthday and all, I might be making my favorite 21DSD dessert!! I have provided the link to the recipe of delicious, and advise you try it and love it. While you're at it, browse around this page. Juli Bauer is my hero. Stay strong, sugar warriors.

Day 2, and Why Scales are Useless

Congratulations my brave followers, it is day two of the sugar detox! So far, six people have committed to following the journey. If you haven't, don't worry, start right....now!! Or don't, it's your body.

This morning I woke up at my usual ass crack of dawn and headed to the gym for my bi-monthly arm workout. (Something to note: You may not sleep as well the first couple of nights while detoxing, but by day 3-5 you should be passing out like a baby...well, better than that, babies don't sleep for shit.) I say bi-monthly because I have gorilla arms. My genetics are royally f*****, thus giving me enormous arms no matter what I do. Today's workout went something like:

25 minutes of spinning
4X8 of the following:
Weighted dips
Rope pulldowns
Skull crushers lead to rock-a-byes
Tricep Kickbacks
Incline bicep curls
Spider curls
Machine Preacher Curls
Cable Curls
25 minutes spinning

Spinning sucks, I'm just going to get that out there. Breakfast was shortly after which was two chicken sausages, spinach, kale, and coconut oil. Good golly gosh. I'm still on my low carb kick. If you're not, the best time to consume carbs are BEFORE and AFTER a workout session. Use fats throughout the day to stay satiated :)

I love my weekly Trader Joes shopping trips. They have everything. My buys today were:
99% lean turkey breast
Organic free range chicken
Spinach
Kale
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Coconut Oil

Rule to live by: You can never have too much coconut oil. The rest of my meals today will be two whole eggs with broccoli for mid afternoon, followed by a large chicken breast with an ass-ton of whatever vegetables I have on hand around 6. A couple of spoonfuls of coconut oil throughout the day keep my metabolism pumping and my stomach happy.

Today I threw out my bathroom scale. For as long as I can remember, that metal square has decided how I feel about myself. For many people, it's the same way. The frustration, depression, and anxiety that occurs the seconds before and after reading the number on the screen is nauseating. Last night as I was on Pinterest, I browsed the fitness and nutrition boards, which is when I realized why women are so insecure. This is what we see:
 

Don't get me wrong, these women are in fantastic shape. However, these women have also carb depleted and gone through a flush for these photo shoots. They don't look like this every day (GASP!) We women spend so much time stressing over what we "should" look like, and are constantly slammed with images of the "ideal" body, filling our heads with nonsense about perfection. As someone who has struggled with body dysmorphic disorder, as well as an eating disorder for 8+ years, it breaks my heart to see these images everywhere. I feel like Dove did something right with those commercials that empower real women:



Look at how happy that bunch is. Happy in their own skin. Happy that a number doesn't run their life.
So that's it. I threw out my scale. It can tell me how much gravity it takes to keep me on the ground, but it can't tell me that I'm perfect just the way I am.

Power to the people. :P

Personal Twists

I realize the first post wasn't entertaining at all, but why would it be? Health is serious stuff people. However, I know that researching and self-educating isn't everyone's favorite thing to do. While I firmly believe that no one diet works for everyone, eating REAL food will do anyone good.

First off, I can't believe this didn't make it into the first post. If you don't have Pinterest, not only are you a loser, but you are missing out.

These are the best boards EVER <<<Go to them..now.

Also, these << Don't forget these

If you can't find anything to make on here, you have been eating processed shit for too long, and it's time to quit that nonsense.

My top 10 things I have on hand when doing a detox:

1. Chicken
2. Turkey
3. Green Apples (Make sure these are organic, apples are the #1 most contaminated fruit!)
4. Avocados
5. Nuts/seeds (Not peanuts!)
6. Coconut oil
7. Sweet Potatoes
8. Squash (Pumpkin, Butternut, Zucchini, Kabocha)
9. Coconut Butter
10. Green leafy vegetables (Yes, all of them are one thing)


If you're eating nut butter, make sure the only ingredient is the nut. A lot of brands add sugar, palm oil, and whatever else so that it tastes good. Real food tastes good  better.

I've been paleo for two years, and have picked up a things or two. The most important thing I've learned is that fat will not make you fat! The logic behind this is that fat is the most calorie dense macro nutrient, and will fill you up much faster than its cousin, the carbohydrate. Eat as much fat as you want. If you overeat it, you'll puke. End of story.

My favorite fats are:

1) Coconut oil
2) Shredded coconut
3) Anything coconut
4) Avocado
5) Olive Oil
6) Almonds
7) Walnuts
8) Grass fed butter (Try Kerrygold brand)
9) Ghee (Clarified butter)
10) Eggs

I repeat. You cannot over-eat these. Have at em!

Also. I eat breakfast every day. If you're not a breakfast eater, you need to be. Many people can't put food in their stomachs right away in the morning. Make a green smoothie! You'll need to experiment a bit with this because a lot of my smoothies tastes like vomit. The basic green smoothie is:

1/2 can of light coconut milk
Broccoli stalks
Kale
Spinach
1/2 avocado
1 TBSP nut butter
Ice cubes
(Add water for consistency

This has enough fat and nutrients to last you a few hours. No more granola bars under the desk. It's like magic.

All that being said, remaining questions can always be emailed to me
E-mail me!

That's all I got. Go eat something.

Do Something Crazy...

You'd think after five rounds of this I wouldn't crave sweets/sugar/shit in general. That would be false. I'm one of those people that always has to have a goal, or else I will fall off whatever wagon I'm currently riding. After sugar detox round five, I did well for about a month afterwards. Then one Hail Merry Miracle Tart led to a jar of almond butter, cacao truffles, and chocolate covered everything. The time has come, the walrus said.

Sixth times a charm? It's always nice when people message me about the sugar detox, and especially when they want to join me. I feel that if you know there is someone to fall back on for support, it makes a challenge just a tad easier.

That being said, this will be a lengthy post because it lays out the basics of the 21DSD (21 Day Sugar Detox). This program was originally created by Diane Sanfilippo, who has conveniently written a 21DSD guide with recipes, tips/tricks, and really, everything you need to be successful. Her shit is great, and if you would like to spend a few dollars for a much more in-depth experience, head on over to her website, which is right here.

So here it is. 21 days without sugar, grains, dairy, legumes, or anything else that is shit in your system. This includes ALL sugars (so don't ask about those "natural" ones, either). Simply put, sugar in the body keeps insulin levels rising and falling, leading to cravings for more sugar, leading to obesity.

I'm not a doctor, go to Google and type in Insulin Cycle. It's a thing.

Anywho, the question most people usually ask is "What CAN I eat?" Thank goodness, there's a website for that too. Click here.

You can also find recipes by typing "21 Day Sugar Detox" into your favorite search engine. It's really that easy. The detox is set up into three levels. The first level is for those who have never detoxed before. It allows for more variety as your body gets accustomed to dropping sugar. The second level allows less wiggle room, and the third level is where I sit, eating cardboard with my water.

I won't lie, it's not easy the first time. Days 3-7 you'll most likely feel sick, have a throbbing headache, and want to kill someone. If you can make it past the first week, you have succeeded.

There are also variations to this detox. Since a healthy diet is also usually combined with some form of exercise, a couple of exceptions have been made for athletes. (I'm sorry, but 30 minutes of walking around a day does NOT count). Weightlifters, crossfitters, and anyone that keeps their heart rate above 145 for an hour a day may consume 1/2 a sweet potato per day (preferably post workout) to refill glycogen stores and function as an athlete. Non-athletes, do not fret. Everyone is allowed a GREEN TIPPED banana or one green apple per day. (Green fruits contain less sugar than the others)

Today marks my day 1. This morning I lifted heavy chest and triceps, and will be returning for a spinning session. I'm currently experimenting with HFLC (High fat low carb) so my meals today will be as follows:

Meal 1: Two chicken sausages with olive oil
Meal 2: Two whole eggs, almond butter, yellow squash
Meal 3: Turkey breast, one egg, broccoli
Meal 4: Salmon filet, One egg, zucchini

I don't typically snack during the 21 DSD (or ever) but everyone has their own needs, find what works. Drink as much water as you can handle, and find something to pray to.

Best wishes on your journey,
Manda