Eating clean...

...or trying our best to cut out processed foods...

Picture from here.

 

Over the years I've come to learn a lot about myself. I know that when I go into things with huge, unrealistic goals, I normally don't succeed. I also know that when I try to cut things out 100% or start a totally new routine, I fail.

 

Over the past few years I would say: "I'm going to start running, take classes at the gym and cut out all junk food and alcohol."

 

Let's get real. A couple of weeks into this new routine, I slowly start to slip back into my old ways and give up. I don't see any progress on the scale or in my clothes and I get frustrated. Happen to anyone else?

 

So a few months ago when I decided to join Pure Barre, that was all I focused on. Then when the holidays came around, I just didn't want to gain any weight (of course I'd be happy if I still lost weight, but my goal was to not gain any). I gained 3lbs. I wasn't disappointed with myself, though, because if I hadn't have set out to not gain, I would've just given up entirely. Instead, I just ate healthier for the most part. And since I didn't take any Pure Barre classes while I was in Florida, I new I had to really be careful.

 

Then January came and I was back into my PB routine (thank goodness! I went crazy for those two weeks!) and I decided to really focus on clean eating. Again, I'm not going in full force because I know I'll give up. I know myself and my body enough to do this slowly. I want this to last forever, so I know this needs to be a gradual process. I read the ingredients on everything I buy now. I typically don't buy the item if it has more than 6 ingredients or has anything in it that I've never heard of. Like I said, this is gradual. I know that they say you shouldn't buy something if it has more than 3-5 ingredients, but I'm taking baby steps. In fact, I'm still crawling.

 

Our breakfast is typically a Trader Joe's yogurt, hard-boiled egg, egg whites or Trader Joe's oatmeal. Let's talk about this oatmeal for a second, shall we? It is so, so delicious! I think there are four or five ingredients total and they're all natural. I was skeptical when I bought it because I need my oatmeal to be sweet. Let me tell you something, it is perfect! Not too sweet, not too plain. It fills me up and is so quick to make. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, I highly suggest you go buy it!

 

Picture from here.

 

 The yogurt still has too many ingredients for it to be considered "real food," but it is delicious and I feel that's healthier to eat than some other processed item. Especially because I eat it for dessert most nights in place of those frozen Popsicles or ice cream sandwiches... or cookies or candy or... Well, you get the idea. Yes, the yogurt is that good!

 

Lunch is typically a sandwich or soup, fruit, string cheese and carrots. Fairly healthy, but the bread and soup still have too many ingredients.

 

Dinner has always been our healthiest and easiest meal. We do fish, pork, all natural hot dogs, meat balls or hamburgers. Our side is usually whole grain pasta, brown rice, quinoa or baked french fries. And we always have a vegetable. My favorite is brussels sprouts and Adam's is green beans. We also do broccoli, cauliflower and squash.

 

So what is the point of this post? To tell you not to give up when you're trying to change your health for the better. It's a slow process, but your journey ahead will be long and healthy. Definitely a life that I want to live for myself, my husband and our future children.