Isagenix Cleanse & Before and After

As I have mentioned I participated in an Isagenix Cleanse case study. My cleanse case study will be up on this site soon, but I will also share a lot of the details here.

Back in April, when Officer and I started Cross Fit, we decided to go big or go home. Its our style, so we started doing Paleo 6 days a week with a few modifications, and a cheat day on Saturdays. After two months of this, and 2 months of Cross Fit we both went down a size, lost noticeable weight and were noticeably more toned. Who wouldn't love that?

In June we started the Whole30 challenge with our Cross Fit gym. It included a point system and a victory prize for the most intense participant. Officer and I decided to keep up with our points but not enter for the prize. You would get your money back if you made it to a certain place. This seemed a little intimidating for us so we decided to do points but no cash. The first few days were horrific. I gave up diet coke for the first time in 3 years and had to drink coffee with NO sugar in it, just unsweetened almond or coconut milk...this was devastating at first. I took a road trip the first weekend on this diet and it literally sucked the fun out of the whole trip.

After week 2 when I felt like I had a handle on the cravings, I decided to do the Isagenix 9 day cleanse. Why?

1. I had never done a cleanse and some of my friends who have told me they are life changing.
2. A year ago I was talking with an older friend and I asked her what I had to do to look and feel the way she did at her age. She said, do the isagenix cleanse once a year, it will change your life.
3. I had plateaued a little bit and I knew I could make some more changes but didn't know where, so this was a good jump start.

The cleanse looks like this:

Phase one: drink cleanse for life liquid and water every 4 hours, snack on their sugar wafers or a list of approved snacks. (Days 1-2)
Phase two: Drink 2 meals in shakes of Isalean and then one approved meal with sugar wafer snacks and the approved list. (Days 3-7)
Phase three: Drink cleanse for life liquid and water every 4 hours, back on their sugar wafers or a list of approved snacks. (Days 8-9)

So with all that, I started the cleanse. I started the cleanse at 138 pounds. The first 2 days were almost unbearable. Nothing to drink but water, not even black coffee for 9 days? This was a very mentally hard time, but also great to work on this discipline. I lost 4 pounds the first day so I went to the next phase from there so I would not lose too much weight. I was after all doing cross fit during this and wanting to tone more than drop pounds. I completed 5 days of cross fit while doing the cleanse, some days were harder than others but over all my energy went up. I consumed more of the approved cleanse snacks than most people who have done the cleanse did, and I think that was mainly due to the high activity work outs I was doing. I lost 4 pounds during this cleanse, and most people who have done it lose even more than that but it was life changing.

1. I have now substituted my morning coffee for decaf most days so I am not dependant on caffeine
2. I have an Isagenix shake every morning. I love it. It is 23 grams of protein and packed full of vitamins.
3. I have cleansed which is indeed a dedicated period of time. That is all I am going to say on that. :)
4. I experienced a few leg cramps and pain during this period of time that helped me determine serious vitamins I am lacking.
5. I learned as I brought food back that sweets are a major problem for me.

What did all this healthy change reveal to Officer and I? Our insanely unhealthy relationship with food. Yikes. We started seeing so many red flags. For one, Officer lost an additional 10 pounds for cutting dairy from his diet even on cheat day (he kept his cheat day through the first month of June). We learned how these unhealthy habits were associated to acne break out, stomach aches, weight gain, bloating, fatigue, and our need for caffeine. 

This was March 2012 before we started Cross Fit, Paleo, and the Cleanse

This is June 2012 right after finishing the cleanse.

These do not show the difference that well, but hopefully you can see that it was definitely noticeable! When I look at these pictures of me. My mind is blown, when I see the Officer its double blown. He has lost 18 pounds. EighTEEN. We have made changes that make our life look totally different and I don't think we could ever go back. We LOVE Cross Fit. We drink a big glass of the cross fit koolaid so if you have any questions about it, let me know! We love talking about it.

Some people have also asked about the amount of meat we eat and wondered how we don't gain weight from that. I think different diets are cut out for different bodies and different genetics. Some people can't eat a lot of meat and some people can. It has been so great for us. I don't think its for everyone but we learned how we are both greatly affected by even small amounts of sugar, dairy and carbs...so paleo is ideal for us. We now do 6 days a week paleo with occasional splurges. 

Whole30 and some updates

Hi friends,

An update has been near the top of my list for a while...but somehow its June 23rd and I CANNOT remember how we got here. Officer and I are experiencing our only free Saturday in 2 months and last free Saturday until my sister's wedding in August. We enjoyed this. Let me tell you.

But anyway, Officer and I have been doing crossfit for almost 3 months now and our gym launched a Whole30 challenge for both June and July. Officer and I adopted paleo eating at the beginning of April with a cheat day every Saturday so we thought this would be easy. We. Were. WRONG.

Whole30 details and rules can be found here. All our best recipes were found here. And motivation found here. 

Crossfit has transformed life for Officer and I. We love it. We cant get enough of the self competition and the results. It has been difficult, however doing Whole30 has been one of the hardest things I have ever done mentally.

First week: I was a wreck. Did a little traveling and couldn't eat anything. Anywhere. Diet coke has been my biggest withdraw. I mean it has hardly gotten easier for me. I miss it every day. It has taught me SO much though about how we get addicted to things and how AWFUL I ate before.

I have learned how to cook so many wonderful things. I crave eating at home more than I do out now. I never EVER thought I would say that either! I have learned healthy substitutes that taste wonderful to me. And life without dairy has made me feel so much better all the way around. Life without dairy has launched Officer to almost 20 pounds of weight loss...hello results.

Here are some of our favorites:

Favorite mains:
Pulled pork
Cowboy breakfast skillet

Favorite breakfast:
Breakfast fritata (we make this at the beginning of each week and then cook throughout the week)
      -12 whisked eggs
      -browned turkey sausage
      -broccoli
      -spinach
cook for 15 min on 375...done. Too easy.


Favorite sweets:
Banana Icecream
Raw brownies (I make these weekly and use raw almonds instead of walnuts)
Banana muffins

We are entering our 4th week of Whole30! I took a break last week to try out my first ever cleanse with Isagenix. Here is were you can read more and I will be doing a whole post about the cleanse. I recommend a yearly cleanse to everyone and I think this will be the one I do every year. Isagenix is the protein I now use and I love it. It is perfect for paleo life style because the sugar content in Isalean is low enough that it doesn't taste too sweet as many proteins now do.

Updates coming this week!

An Officer and a Mrs. do Paleo

As I mentioned on our Fav Friday post, we are trying Paleo with a few exceptions. I know, I know...you may think to yourself,  "doesn't that defeat the purpose of a diet"?

My answer would be, maybe.

But the Officer and I are going for life change, and sometimes you have to ease your way into it.

Why paleo? 

1. I am married to a carnivore. He is all guy, therefore loves a good hardy meal. We could not pick something where he lost that because he would never stick to it.

2. We are Cross Fit groupies. If you do cross fit and we know about it, we think you are pretty amazing and kind of treat you like a celebrity. Officer and I have been wanting to do it for awhile and it hasn't been affordable for us. Now that it is, we are jumping on and paleo is their recommended way of life.

What are the exceptions we decided on?

All of these exceptions, we will give up as we get more used to the diet but since this was such a drastic change for our life style we decided on a few exceptions.

1. Officer still drinks milk. He would pick milk over ANY other drink. This would be his desert island drink. He loves it. When we go on vacation, its the first thing we have to find so he can have his usual every night glass of milk. I am serious about this.

2. I still have the occasional slice of bread. When I saw no grains, my heart stopped- literally. I wasn't ready to go cold turkey with that. I would definitely have the shakes...but I will say, a week in, I could give it up now, so I am phasing it out this week.

3. We have eggs in the morning. We are not great cooks, still learning recipes so we have allowed eggs.

4. We have a cheat day every Saturday. We don't go crazy but we allow ourselves a few splurges.

We have to lead by example.

We decided we wanted our little Fox to eat healthy, and stay as far away from processed as possible. How could we expect this of our child if she saw her parents doing something totally different? We had to change. Also, right now Fox is allergic to oat, so if she doesn't grow out of this, we needed to learn to cook and live in a way where she could eat with us.


Officer has already gone down a size and I have gone down a half size. 1.5 weeks people. Now what this really shows, is how our diet had to change. It had to. We were making terrible choices, and for those who know me, you know I almost always, 100% of the time had candy with me, loud and proud. I am now seeing this had a much greater effect on me than I ever wanted to admit.

We are officially in cross fit and can't wait to see results here.

It's ah-mazing how good this diet makes us feel. So far the amount of meat intake has been good for me, which I never thought it would. Different diets do different things for different people. It is A LOT of cooking and planning so each Sunday we plan out the whole week, breakfast - dinner. We are committed to change and will keep updates as we continue to eliminate those exceptions.

This is so fun to do together. I think life change has to happen as a team, because you are so encouraged and excited as you see the other feel better and look better.

If you are thinking about making the switch here is my fav book and blog I have found so far.



~an Officer and a Mrs.

Pregnant in Heels

Anyone obsessed with Bravo like me? I could TOTALLY give up ALL other channels as long as I can keep Bravo...I admit I used to be obsessed with all the house wives shows and then I realized its the worst thing in the world I could be putting in my head as I am about to be a mom who will not have a personal assistant and full time nannies...anyone back to my point...hubs and I enjoy many shows like millionaire match maker and Bethenney ever after but me...I am OBSESSED with Pregnant in Heels...

A. because I have learned all kinds of things about baby-proofing
B. because Rosie Pope is presh
C. because no matter how many books you read, or how big of a staff you have, or how mommy natured you are...every woman has fears entering into motherhood.

Every mom struggles with the body changes, delivery anxieties, future unknowns and the overwhelming feeling that you wont be enough for the baby.

Some updates....

ANy moms out there struggling to get protein down? Welcome to your solution...I drink a boost high protein, chocolate flavored every morning and its 15 grams of protein. I put it on ice or blend it with ice and its scrumptious!!

Next favorite thing....these vitamins you can find at whole foods...its a gummy little treat and full of omegas! Thanks Lou Lou for introducing me!!

Besides my amazing husband surprising me with a PRE NATAL MASSAGE and a little shopping spree for my first mothers day, this also made my day...Do I not work with the sweetest ladies ever!!!?

And for you non-facebookers- say hello to 6 months pregnant Dana Douthit...its pretty CRAZY!!

Happy Mothers Day to all you momma's out there...my respect for you has gone WAYY up!!

UPdates!!

Hey bloggies,

HAPPY EASTER!! Hubs and I have been celebrating since Thursday when my pretty pretty sister came in town from Tech! Love this girl!

She is a junior in nursing school at Tech and the most focused student I have ever seen. I wish I loved school as much as Gu does. Anyway we hung out with her, saw Water for Elephants (LOVEd but you must read the book!), got pedicures, shopped, and went to church friday night. Hubs didnt get to do all of these things because he was keeping the city safe during most of these times.

Meet my perfect niece Blakely on the day she was born....

Now Check HER OUT!

O.M.G the cutest little bunny on the planet....so glad we got to spend Easter with her and fam!

Then I made these delicious wraps...you can find the super easy recipe HERE from my friend Erynn's blog

Chicken wraps...Jeffy and I LOVED these!!!

Say hello to the sweetest gift ever....I co-lead a small group of AMAZING SMU freshman and they threw me a little bebe shower and we painted these onesies...this is them drying in the back of my car. I love them.

So that is what I have been up to lately...

The Lord has been working on me too. This becoming a mom thing is SUCH a refinement process. So many selfish desires have been revealed to me and the Lord is teaching me to release them. As my body changes and I grow out of each pair of jeans I fight the lie that its a bad thing, and at the same time I have to fight the lie that I can eat everything in sight. I find myself driving down the road and imagining my baby in the back...and the fact that in just 4 months I WILL SEE a baby back there. I feel so undeserving of this bundle and sometimes not enough for he/she as well. It does make me however, so thankful for a father who loves me and gives me ALL that I need. So refreshing.

Well I am off to visit THIS lady tomorrow in HUNTSVILLE and can't wait. She was one of the most influential people in my during college and I lOVE that we have kept up!

More blogging to come!!

DD

12 weeks = Healthy choices again!!

I am 12 weeks!!! See YA first trimester!! I welcome the second trimester where I supposedly become a new woman full of energy!! YAHOOO> you have NO IDEA how truly excited I am for this.

So I have a new breakfast I am bringing back. You see, in the morning (like I have said before) I am famished and if I don't get food in my stomach stat I get really sick (hopefully this will go away soon but who knows).

Anyway about a year ago, I started following this healthy lady's blog. Kath has the best recipes and addins to the recipe that you can purchase from her online store! I especially LOVE her oatmeal. So this morning I made this:

Whipped Banana Oatmeal

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup 1% or skim or soy milk
• 1/2 cup water (I like my oats a bit liquidy – cut back to 1/3 a cup if you don’t)
• 1/2 a banana, sliced
• 1 tbsp chia seeds (they give the best fluffy texture!)
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Vanilla, stirred in at end

YOU CAN GO HERE TO SEE KATH's 

Here is my version this morning...based on what I had in my pantry

 The bananas you add in are the best surprise as you are eating your oatmeal!!

 I top mine with dark chocolate dreams...so YUMMY! Healthy alternative to regular peanut butter!

Delish!!

So another thing I have been making for my drive to work (for some reason I can get hungry all over again in the car + I miss sipping coffee on the way to work).

Orange Pineapple Banana Strawberry Smoothie

Sounds complicated but all it is:

This juice I get from whole foods, a cup of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries & strawberries) and 3 ice cubes.

NOW I am off to enjoy SNOW DAY NUMBER 4!!!

SNOW DAY number 2!!!!

OH my goodness!! 

Nothing is better than spending two WHOLE days in your pjs, eating waffles, watching episodes of our new favorite tv show, many walks in the snow with our puppy Minnie and her pink snuggie...my hubby is pretty manly to be in charge of walking Minnie...

We stayed up late in our pallet in front of our tv eating more pizza and watching Modern Family!! So today...has been lots of P90X to make up for all the carbs yesterday.

Anyway- I was only able to do P90X for about 25 minutes due to my "new" pregnant mark...dry heaving uncontrollably after what use to be easy work outs for me. This has happened 3 times in the last 5 work outs I have done. 

What have I discovered? My protein and nutrients seem to be low when this happens...so now in order to keep up with the amount of times per day my body is demanding food I have had to make much wiser choices so I can make it through work outs (which are one of my greatest joys).

So...

instead of a muffin.....I eat low calorie fruit cups

Instead of waffles....I go for a fruit protein smoothie and some peanut butter crackers

Instead of many bread choices for the side to a lunch meal I eat a salad loaded in greens

Instead of soap or pasta...I make myself (because for some reason meat is not tasty) eat some lean chicken, ground turkey, or fish....

I still let myself have that brownie or a scoop of ice cream. My metabolism is going CRAZY so I feel that some indulging in necessary for the pregger stories. I have gained no weight yet. I am still -5...so well see. Maybe 12 weeks will be the magic number.

Thanks for so much encouragement to those who read this and send me love!!

Hope you are enjoying your day of SNOW FUN!!!

Cookie is my new whole grain

So...I woke up this morning and as usual- I felt my usual dry-heaving coming on...so I grab an oreo (one of the few food groups my body has accepted in the past month). Opps...I ate two.

Ok- I am starting to feel a little better and eat good things for me again so as I am craving starchy goodness and as that is sooo soothing to the tummy I then grabbed a whole grain english muffin, toasted it with a little butter and a little Peanut Butter Company all natural strawberry jelly. YUM...

Have you ever had Peanut Butter Company? Check them out and find their yummy products at most all grocery stores I have visited.

AWESOME discovery for future maternity clothes that I can wear now.

So I have them with a pink fold over top, but they are super great leggings!!!

My Little Lime Sublime

Well readers...you want to know what the big change coming to this blog? The biggest change my life has ever seen....

after shock.....
TERROR....
JOYYYY
fear....
Overwhelmed anxiousness
Vomit...
Re-Budgeting.
More.Vomit.
Encouragement from friends and family....
Love...
Thankfulness to my Sweet Father in heaven.
STILL...more vomit.
Sickness.
Aww....came this....

This is how big the baby inside me is RIGHT NOW!! That's right peeps. Jeffery and I are welcoming our first baby to the world on August 20, 2011!!!!

Its technically the size of a prune at 10 weeks and a lime at 11 weeks but the size isn't that different and I think comparing my baby to a wrinkled prune is icky.

This blog is about to be my journey through this season. Lots of emotions the Lord is working in me right now. This wasn't our plan, but what a plan it is turning out to be.

I am attempting to eat healthy...however since I'm sick as a dog (or should I say a preggo woman) I have only lost weight and have been living on donuts and strawberry flavored starchy yummyness (one of the only things that stays in my belly). So the Doc said- get through your first 14 weeks...THEN try the healthy weight.

I am still working out...but no marathon. I have decreased my cardio quite a bit and INCREASED my weights and toning ALOT!!! 

I went from sleeping 5 hours a day to 10 hours a day...haha so my house is a disaster...uncharacteristically me.

Get ready for some good preg stories, budget cutting, money saving tips. and cheap ways to do maternity with style.

No bump yet but I have seen the baby. Boy. is that magical. I know not everyone gets to experience this gift. And I am so grateful that my father has allowed me to experience this. It is truly a gift, even if you are sick majority of the time!

Love,

Soon-to-be-mommy D

Winter Suit

Well...I haven't updated on winter running wear yet because I went to the doctor and he post-poned my running for a bit...a loose knee cap and inflammation are putting my running on hold....HOWEVER...good news...

The January 2011 issue of Runner's arrived at my house (SIGH) and its all about cold gear!!

Check it out:

Check it out!! Now it shows cold gear according to the region but the truth is us Texans will wear super cold gear when its 4o degrees...we wont wait for it too be 5 degrees!!!

The good new: they list alot of these things from about $40-160...thats a lot of cash we might not all have so here are some places I go for a cheaper version that still keeps me warm!!

so this vest can be found HERE for $12.99 or if you watch the store as cheap as $5 ( I paid $5 on black friday!!!)

Also- check out their pants...pretty great

$16.50 at Old Navy!!! 

Some things I wont go cheap on:

Socks- a good pair of running socks can be about $10 but its worth it because it protects your feet well.

Running GU or Chomps- yum yum and totally worth paying to fuel with these on runs over 8 miles!

I bough a camelbak recently and it was the best decision I have ever made!!

Happy RUNNING!!

TERRA-ific

Ok so this is in NO BIG FAT WAY my attempts to be a food blog...I am not that good so don't think-" seriously Dana- now you want to do that!?!"

No- I am not that good but if you want some good food blogs go to Emily and Jennifer because they are my latest obsessions for when I am hungry for some food blog LOVE!!

Anyway this is the blog that contains events of Dana K and the events I do!! So the latest event of my life was this discovery:

Terra and I- love at first sight!!! These are half the calories of sun-chips (150 per serving) and are made from veggies, you get a full serving of veggies as you see above and are a great alternative for that end of the work day, post gym salty craving you may get (like me :))

I am that girl that snacks while she cooks so sometimes when dinner is ready I am no longer hungry...opps! Well these have helped me eat something that doesn't have too many calories and be just enough to hold me over until what I am cooking is done!!!

Happy December!!!