Days 6-15

I know what you must be thinking.  Wow, she only made it 5 days and already crapped out on this little challenge of hers.  I'm proud to say that is not the case.  I'm still off sugar and haven't eaten out and am still going strong.  I just took a break from blogging since I didn't have anything much to say.  Well to update you on my progress....
 I feel great!  The first week was pretty miserable.  I had the worst headaches and pretty horrible stomachaches.  After doing a bit of research I realized my body was going through with drawls.  The pain and uncomfortableness ended around day 6 and I've felt fabulous ever since.  There's a real sense of empowerment knowing (even though I of course still have cravings for sugary deliciousness) I haven't given into temptations that have come my way.  In the short 2 weeks I've been doing this challenge I've been offered the following (and these aren't from individuals that know about my challenge and are trying to sabotage my efforts):  donuts, bagels from Einsteins, a Twix candy bar, donuts (yes, again) and cookies.  These offerings were from co-workers and mind you only one of these tasty treats was for an event.  All the others were from individuals bringing them into the office to share with everyone.  While the sentiment is nice, the unforgiving weight gain is not.  Had I not been doing this little challenge of mine I can guarantee I would have sampled each and every yummy treat.  It was a real eye opener to me how little I realized that I was often being offered sugary treats and never saying, "no thanks".  We always like to say, "Well I only have one birthday a year" or "Christmas only comes once a year" or "Thanksgiving is just one day a year."  Take a second to think about how many "once a year" events you allow yourself to overindulge.  Pretty shocking, eh?  While I know the value of a great piece of chocolate cake, I'm learning it shouldn't be part of my weekly diet.  Otherwise how will I attain the goals I've set for myself to have a Jillian Michaels type of physique? 
Just to give you an idea of how I'm able to stay on track, here are a few things I've been doing.  I eat 6 times a day.  I have a protein and a carb with every meal.  I make sure my meals don't exceed 300calories.   I eat every 2-3 hours so I don't get in starvation mode and eat everything in sight.  After my last meal of the night I immediately brush my teeth.  It puts me in bedtime mode so I won't eat after that.  If I still feel pretty hungry I'll pop in some Extra sugar free gum.  It curves any cravings for sweets and makes me fill full.  So far I feel great about my efforts and am already starting to see some results.  One is that I'm 5lbs lighter on my scale.  We all know what weight loss means right?  SHOPPING SPREE!  Shh, don't tell my hubby I said that. 
Overall I'm extremely pleased with my determination and efforts.  I'm confident I'm going to get through challenge and am more confident that come day 91 I'll carry these habits over permanently.

15 days down, only 75 more to go.

Until tomorrow.....or until I have more to say next time. 

Day 5

After working out all week I decided to take a day off from the gym.  In the past whenever I would take the day off from working out I'd go out to eat and over indulge.  You'd think I'd do the opposite and dedicate the day to healthy eating since I wasn't going to sweat out the calories, but I'm a little backwards that way.  Trying to get out of my bad habits like eating out on Friday nights or eating a few additional treats at lunch will be a challenge in and of itself, but wahoo for me that I've stuck to my guns today and haven't caved.  I go out to eat at least once every weekend.  It's more of a social activity and the easy date night choice so trying to come up with other activities has been a challenge in and of itself.  You'd think it wouldn't be difficult considering all the many things we could so such as going to a movie, staying in and playing games with friends, or even visiting friends or family members.  Getting over bad habits is difficult, but always doable.  It's just going to take some discipline which I'm proud to say I've displayed thus far.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.
5 days down...only 85 more to go.

Until tomorrow

Day 4

I really wish I had something interesting to write about from the days events, but alas nothing is coming to my mind.  Well that's not entirely true.  I have one thing on my mind and you guessed it...its food.  I don't think I ate enough today (completely not intentional, but a bad idea nonetheless) therefore my blood sugar is extremely low which has put me in quite a rotten mood.  I'm also exhausted both physically and mentally and need some much needed sleep.  In following with my goal to blog everyday of this challenge I didn't want to skip tonight so here I sit typing away getting more ornery and wishing I were curled in a little ball under my blankets in my bed.
I feel like this week so far has been a bit of trial and error.  What can/should I eat?  How much can/should I be eating?  I haven't quite worked out these very important details and unfortunately am suffering the consequences tonight.  I'm keeping my head up though and reminding myself that tomorrow's a new day.  I'll have a more positive upbeat attitude, and will definitely eat more (within reason of course) tomorrow.
4 days down, only 86 more to go.

Until Tomorrow....

Day 3

Motivation.  It's a fabulous thing to have in your corner, but a miserable thing when it's back is turned on you.  It's easy to get motivated about something when you first start to talk about it and execute it.  You're amped to get underway whatever it is that you've set out to do and can't wait to start laying the bricks.  Day one of your journey is exciting and seems surprisingly easy.  You're feeling good come day 2 and thinking there's no way you'll hit a wall.  But then comes day 3 and BAM!  You can't find where you left the motivation the day before.  Is it hiding in my bed and wants to sleep in for a few hours?  Did I leave it outside or down in the basement?  I'm not exactly saying I've lost mine completely, however this evening has been a tough one.  I ate great all day and was feeling really good about my food choices.  That is, until after I taught my Turbo Kick class.  For whatever reason all I wanted to eat when I finished my class was candy and chocolate.  It could be that I know I can't have them for the next 90 days so they're in the forefront of my mind or it could possibly just be that I genuinely was just craving them, but man oh man it was hard to stay strong and cook my ground turkey and steam up some broccoli.  It's a great feeling knowing I didn't cave and say "screw it all.  this was a stupid idea," however I'm not liking the fact that I'm already having these urges to cave.  
So, here's where the motivation factor comes in.  It clearly wasn't popping it's head out on it's own making me feel nice warm fuzzies inside, so for the better part of the evening I've been reminding myself of why I started this challenge.  I ended up in front of my bathroom mirror doing affirmations and listing all the reasons I wanted to take on this challenge.  I repeated them over and over again until the heavy urge to run out and get something sweet passed.  One of my biggest motivators to stay on track is this blog.  Wouldn't I be so lame if I went to all this trouble of creating a blog and spilling my guts about what I'm doing only to recant everything 3 days in and say, "Ha!  Never mind.  I was only kidding.  Let's go get ice cream!"  Yes, I'd be very lame and I for one would not care for that, (who really would though?).  After my little affirmation segment in front of my mirror I went downstairs to grab a piece of gum out of my purse and voila!  The cravings for sweets was gone and I had delicious minty breath which my husband was most appreciative of.  Eureka!
I've decided to do daily affirmations of not only why I started this challenge, but why I'm strong enough to succeed.  There's something to be said about positive thinking and I'll be danged (edited for all viewers) if I'm going to let Negative Nelly ruin this for me.  In the words of the famous Stewart Smalley, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me!"
3 days down, only 87 more to go.

Until tomorrow.....

Day 2

So today's only the 2nd day into my 90 day challenge and I was already feeling the desire to give up and cave into my cravings of donutty deliciousness and fries.  Fortunately though I held strong and didn't give in.  Yeppers, I stuck to the apple, egg whites, tuna, oatmeal, carrots, broccoli, and protein shake I had prepared for the day.  There's a real sense of accomplishment in just eating the right foods I planned out the night before.  Instead of beating myself up for giving in and cheating on my meal plan I can't help but to praise myself for a job well done.  Granted this is only day 2, but I feel terrific.  Feeling such positive feelings flowing through my head will definitely help me during this challenge so I'm looking forward to more days like this one.
Today I spent the better part of my day (shh, don't tell my boss) surfing the internet for healthy food recipes.  I'm not much of a cook, in fact I don't cook hardly at all, but after seeing so many yummy looking healthy (and somewhat easy too) recipes I headed to the store on my way home from work to buy a few ingredients to get started.  Unfortunately I ran out of time this evening to get some whole wheat biscuits going (that's going to be my first recipe I create), but plan to make them tomorrow.  I'll let you know how they turned out, but I'm feeling pretty confident since the recipe doesn't appear to be too difficult.  Nonetheless though, cross your fingers for me.  :)
Happy to report:  2 days down, only 88 more to go.
Until tomorrow....

Day 1

Well here's where it all begins.  This is where the sweat, tears, and blood will be spilt.  Well okay, maybe not blood, but I assure you there will be sweat and plenty of tears.  Let me start from the beginning.
My name is Darise and I'm a fitness instructor.  I teach Turbo Kick and RIPPED.  Both amazing exercise formats and ones I guarantee if you ever try them out you'll be hooked...especially if you take one of my classes :).  While I've been confident for the last several years in my workout abilities and cardio fitness levels, I've never been all that great about the eating healthy thing.  If you're anything like me you've been riding a food roller coast for the better part of your life.  Coming out of the tunnel heading up the steep incline I'm excited and motivated to stay on the fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy carbs lifestyle (won't use the word diet since that insinuates a quick fix and not a lifestyle change).  I'm excited to begin the journey and can't wait to see what lies ahead. But then comes the first drop off and I find I've lost all control.  My stomach is in knots and I let loose and allow myself one too many cookies, or scoops of ice cream.  The next incline comes quickly and I compose myself and get my head back in the game only to realize I'm falling again, right into a tub of Olive Garden's fettucini alfredo and breadsticks.  I can continue on with this analogy, however I'm guessing you've grasped the point I'm trying to convey.
I've grown tired of this roller coaster and I'm finally ready to get off.  Not only am I ready, but I've made the decision to actually get off the ride instead of just saying I'll get off, and then turning around and handing the conductor another ticket.
My sweet husband has been listening to this chaotic ride of mine for the last several years and he's agreed to assist me in my efforts.  I knew in order to be successful with this I'd need motivators (as if getting a smokin' hot body isn't motivation enough), however I knew I needed something along the way to keep me going.  The number one motivator for me has been and will always be SHOPPING.  So for every 30 days I go without cheating I get to make a somewhat big purchase.  For example I've been eying a new down comforter for our bed so if I make it through the first 30 days without cheating I get to buy it without any complaints or eye rolls from my hubby.  That's a gift in and of itself.  :)
So here's the challenge.  I've agreed that I will cut out sugar (i.e. ice cream, cookies, brownies, candy, etc...) and and eating out for 90 days.  I know what you must be thinking.  This is madness!  No eating out for 90 days!?  No tiny piece of candy to get you through a rough day?  Say what!!!?  To some degree, yes I agree that this is going to be tough...extremely tough, but I know it's the only way I can get out of my bad habits and into good ones.  Here's why:  When I eat candy, ice cream, cookies, etc... I never eat just one or even 2.  I have bowl fulls, and several handfuls of the yummy goodness that is no good for the body.  When I eat out I don't opt for the grilled chicken menu item.  I go for the double cheese burger, fries, and large shake.  You see where I'm going with this?   By eliminating these items completely I'll be able to cut the beating myself up thing completely and hopefully will get a grip on what a sliver of cake really means vs. eating a sliver of cake followed up by 3 or 4 full slices.  I know this is going to be hard.  While I'm excited and motivated today, I'm fully aware a bad day or my dreaded Aunt Flow is going to show up and try to ruin it, but I'm determined to see this challenge through.
I've created this blog that, (BT dubbs, I plan to post something everyday of this challenge) will also assist me in staying on track.  I'm not sure I'll necessarily log what I ate everyday, but I will post how my days are going and how I'm feeling.  I'd love any and all comments whether it's words of encouragement or facilitators that you think can keep me on the healthy food track.  I'm really excited to prove to not only myself, but to my family and friends that this is possible.  If you set your mind to something you can achieve anything.  It's going to take a lot of work, focus, and motivation, but I'm confident I'm going to succeed.
My name's Darise and today is day one of my 90 day challenge.  Wish me luck and check back tomorrow to see how I'm doing.  As if you have nothing better to do.  Ha!!!