Ok-here it is. The "Live-it"!

"One should eat to live, not live to eat."

This may be a little long & drawn out but for all your requests (ahem, JILL!) ...here ya go! ((& sorry for anyone who has already read this very similar post...I had to freshen it up a bit for my newer followers!)

The sole purpose of this post is to convince each and every one of you looking to shed a few pounds and lead a healthier lifestyle that it really is possible.

Remember: it's not a diet, it's a way of life and preparation is everything! Be as creative as possible with your meals and you will do just fine.

The Guidelines:
-For the first 2 weeks, avoid fruit or butter
-For the first 30 days, avoid: sugar, yeast, milk or milk products & fermented products or alcoholic beverages
-After 30 days, you may add brown rice, sweet potatoes, and/or oatmeal OR if you are training for a triathlon or something crazy and need to carbs you can have them sparingly.

Basically, NO: grains, baked goods, breads, dairy, pasta, potatoes, mushrooms, sugar, soft drinks, alcohol, vegetable shortening, margarine.

Did ya give up already?!

No? Ok-good!!

Don't worry. Although this sounds extremely restricting, after the first week ALL of your cravings are gone. Yea, those M&M's you just have to have after lunch. You won't want them. Those cinnamon rolls you're used to having for breakfast. See ya! You think I'm kidding? After week 2 I wasn't even hungry. I thought the girls at work were going to send me to a help center for anorexia because I wasn't eating lunch and I barely ate a breakfast. Seriously!

Staples:
*lean meat/protein: turkey, chicken, ground beef, eggs, turkey bacon, fish, Canadian bacon, shellfish, pork chops, steaks
*veggies: ((no corn or carrots)) cucumbers, celery, zucchini, spinach, tomatoes, onions, squash, artichokes, asparagus, bell peppers, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, kale, okra, lettuce, spaghetti squash, lemons & limes ((yes, these are technically fruits but they are allowed and mixed with olive oil they make for a great salad dressing.))
*legumes: BEANS! black, green, kidney, pinto, red ((no baked))
*healthy fats: nuts ((no honey roasted)), avocados, natural peanut/almond/cashew butter, olive oil
*sweeteners: xylitol, erythritol, stevia, truvia ((no honey, splenda, sweet-n-low or agave nectar))
*condiments/extras: salsa, tomato sauce, chicken/beef broth
*drinks: coffee (no dairy creamer!), teas, water, sparkling water (Perrier, La Croix), Zevia

*spices: any, really. All the common spices-we'll leave it at that.

*After two weeks, you can add back fruit but not just any fruit.
*The best (& most common) fruits are: strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, kiwis, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches
**Remember to AVOID the following fruits throughout the entire diet: pineapple, cherries, watermelon, dates, figs, bananas, grapes. ((not to say that these fruits have no nutritional value, because they do, however, they are just higher in natural sugar content which is not good for the diet.))

Are you still with me?!

Ok, good. You'll be glad you stuck it out thus far...

((Plus...if you stick around a little bit longer you'll get to see my "fat" pics!))

Things you'll thank me for telling you about:
*First and foremost, I'll just throw it out there that VODKA/SODA is the closest yeast free alcoholic beverage. There!
*Almond milk: Almond Breeze, unsweetened, any flavor: can be used in smoothies, recipes (substitute for milk), coffee

*Jay Robb's WHEY protein powder: found in any grocery/health foods store. Any flavor. Perfect added to almond milk to make a smoothie

*LaraBar: Although they have dates as an ingredient, they are SO extremely close to being yeast free that I ate them anyway because it's what kept me compliant. As long as you eat them sparingly and not for every meal, I say it's ok so go for it!
*Pacific Naturals Black Bean Soup: throw in a few black beans and avocado and mmmmm...mmmmmmm!! :)

*Homemade chili
*Spaghetti squash spaghetti (google it...it's SO easy.)
*Wraps: use romaine lettuce for tacos, sandwiches, etc...rather than bread.
*Terra chips: Original; and only eat them sparingly.
*Hummus: Sabra brand, if you can find it. Any flavor. Great for dipping celery, cucumbers or Terra Chips.

And now for the before and after!!

You may not visually be able to see the difference but I cannot put into words how great I feel. ((Or you can just look at my chubby arms & see for yourself...)) My work suits were all a size 8...a tight 8, at that. Now...a size 4 and they still seem to fit a little baggy. My jeans stretch out by just looking at them. All my swimsuits, tops, shorts and sundresses are all at least a size too big and oddly enough...so are my panties. TMI?? Oops! The only thing that still fits the same are my socks. No complaints there.

BEFORE
((insert annoying wrestler announcer voice ::here::))

...weighing in at a whopping 144 pounds...

Spring 2008

St. Thomas 2009

St. Thomas 2009

...and AFTER!
I introduce you to...my jawline & collar bones !

September 2010

October 2010

October 2010

Seriously...if my fiance can do it...YOU can do it! Please feel FREE to ask me any questions!!

What are you waiting for?! Bikini season will be here before ya know it! ;)