When your body says "no, no"...

Well, after a short hiatus for my birthday, I am back at the PINK workout and diet (Phase I). Today is technically Day 4 (I didn't count the days I was "off"). In two of the four days of the workout I have experienced horrible... and I mean horrible... Hypoglycemia. Oh, yeah. My body is saying a big NO! to this expenditure of energy. Had to get on the phone with Mom last night trying to figure out where the problem is... she has been a nurse longer than I've been alive, so I figure she'd have an idea. And it would appear that I am going into the workouts with a negative calorie count and low blood sugar. Workouts just perpetuate the problem, for which no amount of shake or food can fix. Ended up drinking a glass of ice water last night with two heaping spoonfuls of sugar. Was instantly better! We've since decided to modify the PINK diet to allow me more carbs, especially the fast kind. This morning I had another glass of sugar water before I worked out, and I am not at all sick. YAY!

As for yummy foods, here is my new fave "go to" salad... I totally stole it from Mom, who stole it from dozens of other people and places that make it (it's the Waldorf). But, Mom makes it the best:

Bake some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven -- salt and pepper to taste.
Combine with red grapes, celery, red onion, and toasted walnuts. Add low fat mayo, but not a ton!
Salt and pepper a bit more for flavor.

I ate mine on a bed of Romaine with avocado and green apple slices. DELISH!!

Double OWWWWW!!!

Day 3 of Stage 1... I can barely sit down... my arms are in a state of revolt. And now my butt hurts. Damn these workouts! Muscles are breaking down and sucking in water, so now I am a little puffy and a pound heavier on the scale. Thanks, Erica, for giving me the 411 on what the body does when lifting weights. For a second this morning I thought this diet wasn't working. But, I push on...

Dinner last night was delish! I made a spicy turkey burger (use Mrs. Dash chipotle and hot seasonings) with grilled peppers and brown rice. Add two heaping tablespoons of salsa, and devour. YUM!

OWWWWWCH!!!

Alright, Day 2 of Stage 1 and I want to die. My arms and legs are about to stage a revolt. Two workouts down, 19 to go... and then 4 days off until the next, more intense stage. I know it will get "easier" because my muscles will get stronger, but for now I am going to whine like a little baby. IT HURTS! The workout this morning nearly killed me... I never had much arm strength, and the first 20 minutes was all about working the "push" muscles of the arms and legs. Let's just say my triceps are about to jump up and scatter. I could barely wash my hair afterward.

For dinner last night I had this plate of beautifulness:

Here's what I did:

Soak your chicken (about 4 oz) in unsweet almond milk while you prep the "batter" which consists of almond meal and Mrs. Dash's lemon pepper. I added a little red pepper for heat. Brown in a skillet with a little extra virgin olive oil to prevent as much sticking as possible. Finish in the oven. Comes out super, super juicy!

Next, the side dishes. Saute onion, fresh green beans, and garlic in a non-stick skillet. I added a tsp olive oil and cooking spray to prevent burning. Flavor with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and fresh lemon juice. And of course, have some Granny Smith apple slices for dessert.

WOW! I am back...

So, it has been far too long since my last post. Sorry about that... kind of got a little sidetracked with the dozens of daily back and forth emails with schools in New Mexico for my research. Whoa! Life is crazy sometimes.

Anyway, the reset is done. Erica and I both survived the 14-day crunch. We got to eat a real breakfast this morning! HOORAY! I had one egg and a bowl of grits. AMAZING... but man am I full. It's awesome, although I now have to workout when I get home. Luckily mom and dad mailed be free weights and lifting gloves for my birthday, so I am ready to go. Phase I of the P.I.N.K is 21 days of 40 minute workouts 7 days a week. Let's see how it impacts the scale, but so far I am down 8.6 lbs, so I am not going to complain.

A great dinner recipe (as Allison requested!) the other night is Asian inspired stir-fry of yellow bell pepper, onion, broccoli, and chicken (which I marinated in garlic and lemon juice for an hour before cooking). Add a splash of low-sodium soy sauce or any other low-everything sauce, cook over the stove until veggies are tender and chicken is done. Poor into a bowl and devour. It is filling and yummy -- no rice required unless you want it!

It looks gross, but tastes great!

Day 9, feeling great... my sweater is a little bigger and so are my jeans. Hooray! I am staring at my morning shake while writing today's post, and there is no doubt that it looks like green algae... it is a brownish green color that is so entirely unattractive. But, it tastes amazing! The combo of unsweetened almond milk, golden beets, banana, spinach, hemp protein, strawberries, pineapple (from a bag of tropical fruit), and lime juice is just divine. I have taken to the philosophy of really learning to love these shakes. It is not just about guzzling them down to get it over with. I let each sip linger on my tongue so my taste buds and brain learn to acknowledge these flavors as something good... as something worth craving. I am retraining my senses to love what they once detested. And it is working. These shakes taste better with each passing day. No longer do I long for a chocolate croissant or french fries. I saw a picture of lettuce the other day and thought to myself, wow, that looks yummy! Lettuce! Wow! And I started salivating over the salad bar when looking at restaurant websites for the upcoming birthday weekend (can't wait to spend time with my best gals!). For me, the PINK Method is more than a transformation of my weight and figure... it is a transformation of my relationship to food. I used to eat for the sake of eating, or in celebration, or in most cases stress. But I refuse to be like that anymore. That is not to say I am cured, because I am not. I know I could just as easily slip back into my old ways just as easily as I now embrace a new path. I am going to take it one day at a time, one pound at a time, and one sip at a time.

Another day, another shake!

Day 8 and life is holding steady. Not bad for a Wednesday! And I have nothing new really to add except for the fact that it took almost 2 HOURS to drink this morning's shake... it was super thick and creamy, and I am totally full at 10AM, which means I won't be ravenous and ready to eat my own fingers come lunchtime. Here's what I did:

1 1/2 cups unsweet almond milk
2 scoops no carb vanilla whey protein
Handful spinach
1 cup berries (blue, black, rasp)
1 cup tropical fruit (pineapple, peach, strawberry)

Lunch today is 2 oz chicken, 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup cooked broccoli with a splash of low sodium soy sauce. Should be tasty! (I hope!)

Day 7... The Adventure Continues!

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel, and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results." - A.R.

Well, here we are at Day 7, halfway through the reset period of the PINK Method. I am down another 2 pounds bringing my first week total to 6.8 pounds. Feeling great! I slept for 10 hours last night, too, which is essential. Diets don't work if you don't get sleep... gotta give the body time to heal and flush out all the nasty bits.

Last night for dinner I made a garlic and herb turkey burger with smothered balsamic onions and a bowl of peas. DELICIOUS! All I did for the onions was add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar halfway through the cooking process, and they were super yummy.

And today's menu is pretty stacked, as I have to be on campus until almost 9PM. I made two chipotle turkey burgers, a salad, and more peas. That will cover me for lunch and dinner. It took about 20 minutes to prepare this morning. Super quick!

As for the morning shake:

1 1/2 cups unsweet almond milk
1 banana
Handful spinach
1/2 golden beet
3/4 scoop no carb whey protein
1 Tablespoon hemp protein
1 prune
1 cup frozen tropical fruit