Vegan Whole30 Check-in
Whoa!
My body fluctuates like everyone else's. From time to time I catch a glimpse in the mirror and I'm like “where’d that come from” or "well that's not what I want to see". You know the feeling! When an extra roll shows up, or your stomach is sticking out further than your boobs, or your jeans (that you haven't put on in weeks) are tough to button. The list goes on. Whatever feelings you may have experienced over the last couple of months, I'm here to remind you that you can change it if you want!
A few weeks ago I looked in my hallway mirror and was not a fan of what I saw. Not only was my appearance not where I wanted it to be, but my energy levels were run down. Getting out of bed in the mornings had become a chore, and I felt lethargic throughout the day. That's when I decided to kick things into gear.
Time for Change
Christmas weekend I decided to start my vegan Whole 30 journey and began adding in a more regimented workout routine. Thanks to this adjustment, not only have I reduced my excessive carbohydrate intake, but I've also been portioning out my meals to ensure I am no longer overeating. I've had to retrain my brain to understand the difference between feeling hungry and not being stuffed to the brim. The MyFitnessPal app has been a lifesaver for helping me stay aware of my caloric intake and visually seeing how my macros shake out at the end of each day.
As for my workouts, I downloaded the Centr app for the 6 week free trial. They have a great variety of activities from yoga to pilates to boxing and strength training. This app helped me remove the planning and decision making process of what workout to do each day, and just lets me follow along with their guided coaching. You see, these workout sessions are assigned to you on a daily basis and help you to track your progress. I'm a big proponent of seeing my results both physically and through tracking, so this has been a big win for me. Not only that, but the app has some AMAZING recipes that you can use to create healthy meals and quick shopping lists from. I'll plan to share a few of my favorites soon enough! (Also, this is in no way an ad push for them. I have just really enjoyed their product).
With all of that being said, I wanted to share with you the results I'm seeing and feeling thus far!
My Results
I'm down 5 pounds in two weeks and I feel great! It doesn't take long for your body to thank you for feeding it nutrition and movement. Seeing progress like this keeps me motivated.
On top of that, my energy levels are back in full force! Take it from me, if you start eating right and working out, your body craves less sleep and more movement. Instead of wanting to lay in bed or sleep for 9-10 hours a night/morning, I am now sleeping 8-8.5 hours and am ready to tackle my day.
Lastly, it is amazing how much clearer my brain is and all of the momentum I'm creating in such a short time. I’ve been able to focus so much more on work and being productive that it has allowed me some down time. And that’s saying a lot for this workaholic ;)
SHOP THE POST:
It's not all easy though. There have been moments where I have cheated with one ingredient here or there by adding things like rice into the mix. What I find myself doing on a night like last night though is when the cravings start creeping in, I just remind myself what's more important. I ask myself whether the 3 minutes of enjoying the food I’m craving are worth more than me reaching my goal. The more progress you accomplish, see, and feel, the more you are supported mentally to keep tackling each day head on.
Be sure to ask yourself these questions as you are working towards your goals.
Will this help me achieve the end result I desire?
Do I need this or is it just an impulse that I'm having at this moment?
What is in my best interest to make my goals into a reality?
Whatever your goal and path may be, know that if you stick to it and start seeing results, there is no better feeling. Check out my goal setting and accountability tools linked here to help you outline your approach and keep you on track.
Be sure to check back in two weeks! I’ll share more around my progress and some of my favorite recipes that I’ve tried. This is just the start for me pursuing my goal of leading a healthier more balanced lifestyle that supports the change I desire to see.
All the best to you and yours,
Jen
Investor // Landlord and DIYer // Realtor // Business Consultant // Globe Trotter // Converting Vegan.
