Hey all! How was your week? Are you pumped that it’s Friday? I am, but I have nothing big planned for the weekend. I think we’re all planned out and just want to take it easy at home. No plans is perfectly fine with me.
Today, I thought I would chat with you all a bit about some changes I’ve been making at home. It’s no secret that fitness slid way down on the list of priorities and well, we just finished the holidays off. That means there were terrible eats everywhere to be found and despite trying to healthify some dishes, there are some that you just don’t want to. Cheesecake anyone?
White Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl … and every bit as delicious as it sounds
Anywho, all of the above has done a serious number on my physical well being (jeans are tight, skin is seriously AWFUL, running is hard again) and that also means a number on my self-esteem. The only photos that seem to make it through are photos that the flash washed things out or are far away. No, no, I’m not here to complain but I’m sure many of you can relate at some time or another. I’m not the only one here right? Right?
So I took it upon myself to start making some small dietary changes to see if it helps. I’m starting with the simple ones and then easing into some of the harder ones.
I’m cutting out wine . . . for now. I really enjoy my glass or two of wine but find myself polishing off about 2 bottles a week and that’s just unnecessary. I’m out of all of my favorites and I don’t plan on restocking for a while. This doesn’t mean that my wine glasses aren’t getting any use though.
I’m just making my green monsters look prettier is all
I’m also cutting out as much caffeine as possible and replacing it with decaf tea. I’m not really addicted to coffee but I do rely on it to wake me up and sometimes that means 4-5 cups at a time. That’s excessive and needs to go. I do miss the warm cup of something in the morning though so I’m incorporating decaf tea to help me with that. The added benefits of drinking tea are only a bonus.
So far I’ve tried the detox tea and pomegranate pizazz and liked them a lot. I’ve got to get through the rest of the sampler to see if there are any others I like though.
As far as easy changes go, I’m trying to drink a lot more water too. Now for the more difficult changes. I’m cutting as much sugar as I can and I’m going completely gluten-free. I already know that gluten bothers me so there’s no reason I should only be eating gluten-free before running. I should be doing it all the time!
In order to help me ease into gluten free eating, I got a few breakfast foods to help me not miss bread so much. I’m also trying to incorporate more rice, oats and buckwheat into our diet.
As for cutting out sugar? Sugar is just terrible for you. I’m sure it’s what’s doing the biggest number on my skin too. I’m not talking about natural sugar from fruit and veggies. I’m talking the processed sugar that’s creeping in everything from your tomato sauce to your cereal to the obvious fifth cookie you just shouldn’t be eating. It’s really hard to quit though! Every time I try, I find myself snacking more or pacing in the kitchen wondering what I can have that’ll satisfy the craving. So this time I’m starting with reducing. Reduction is much easier. I’m cutting out the obvious desserts and since I’m not drinking coffee, I’m avoiding sugar there too. I’m not sweetening my teas either.
Finally, I’m getting back on the fitness wagon one way or another. I redid my fitness page a couple of weeks ago and started tracking again on the first of the year. Wednesday was the first run in two weeks so this is how it went:
- Sixth Ave Heartbreak – The Wallflowers = Power Walk
- Place for my Head – Linkin Park = Moderate Jog
- Are You Happy Now – Michelle Branch = Moderate Jog
- Deliverance – Bubba Sparxxx = Power Walk
- I Don’t Care – Apocalyptica ft Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace = Fast walk home
Not great, not bad, but some movement is better than no movement. I’m trying to stay positive and just get back in the game. I can kick some ass later.
Do you have any tips for a gradual diet cleanup?
What are your plans for the weekend?
Have a great weekend folks!
balancingsylvia.wordpress.com 
My trouble is w/processed foods; yummy-looking french toast sticks above would give me heartburn. 😦 So we’ve gradually ended up making most of our own stuff… (bread, dry beans/lentils in Crockpot, stew/freeze tomatoes, etc.). It’s one way to control all the sugar, salt, etc. It’s amazing taste-wise, but does take more time. Basically we don’t buy much canned/boxed/frozen anymore.
What also helped me w/refined sugar was literally giving it away. I only have honey & maple syrup in the house now. Probably still use ’em more than I should tho! lol
BTW – eating your cashew butter w/breakfast as I type… YUM!!! Going to try making tahini in the new ‘toy’ this w/e, & taking Drew out for his birthday dinner. Hope yours is a relaxing one!!
Ooo, I very much agree on the processed foods. I’ve cut a ton of those out and just bc of that, my grocery bill has gone down. I went to sunflower yesterday and examined all of the gluten free breads and waffles and such and for a teeny loaf of bread it’s $5.49 (the cheapest!). Yeah, forget that, I’ll figure out how to make my own once I’m more comfortable.
That’s a good idea and I think I’m going to have to give my sugars away too. I have too many kinds for all of the baking I do. I’m just going to have to learn to bake without them.
I’m glad you liked the cashew butter and Happy Birthday to Drew! 🙂
I think little changes are the best way to go. If you make drastic ones, they never seem to stick!
Those cheesecakes look all kinds of delicious. Could we have the recipe perhaps? 🙂
I’m also reducing the amount of gluten I eat. Fortunately I don’t have to cut it out completely. It seems so hard! It’s in everything. Good luck cutting back on refined sugar. 🙂
I’ve been considering giving the recipe out since I took the pictures to go along with it. But then the secret won’t be so secret and the magicness of them to my co-workers will be (I think)gone. 😀
Or maybe not, since you have to make two separate cheesecakes? Which is too much work for a lot of people.
I keep thinking about what I eat a lot of that’s got gluten in it and I’d have to say that eating out is the hardest part. I can switch pastas or eat spaghetti squash at home and I can omit bread for the most part. I’m glad I’m not celiac though. Then I’d have to worry about cross-contamination instead of just major sources.
I love this post! Little changes are where it’s at. I started with drinking more water and adding greens to every meal that I could. You are so right that any movement is better than no movement. Right on!*
I’m glad you agree lady. Sometimes I say I’m going to do something and then I question it and don’t. This way seems the more sustainable than a total overhaul (and more affordable). 🙂
Great post – I could use a reduction in wine-drinking as well. It’s just so delicious! 🙂
I’ve been baking gluten and sugar-free a lot more lately. Coconut flour is in heavy rotation over here!
Good luck with the changes – can’t wait to hear about the positive impact!
Hah! Gosh dern delicious wine 🙂
Coconut flour and sweet rice flour are intriguing but until I know a bit more, I’m not buy any new to me ingredients 🙂 I’ll be watching your blog for recipes.
Thanks so much chica!