I text messaged Mary Claire last night and asked her to address one simple thing:
What happens after G-Tox??!?!?
Since I started G-Tox, I have had extremely BAD experiences with any time processed food is put in my path - my tummy hurts, I feel awful, bloated, my body is totally rejecting it now. Just say no to hot dogs and chips at golf tournaments.
Which is a beautiful thing! Right?
But...
It's obviously not realistic - or probably recommended - that one continue on a life of psyllium husk and 13 supplements a day. The G-Tox was intended to be a reset of eating and living habits, not a lifestyle in and of itself.
Although Lance Armstrong probably takes more supplements than that. But he is a super-athlete and I'm just doing Brazilian Butt Lift. Sorry, off topic, I just have him on the brain today.
How does one segue into a "normal" life once the detox is over? I am SCARED. How will my body change? How will I maintain this weight loss and healthy good feeling? Because I do NOT want to let this go.
Well, Mary Claire has promised that there is a "modified" version that is a good next step after G-Tox. Early on, I made a mental agreement with myself that the protein shakes are something I would continue on a daily basis for at least one, if not two of my meals - they are total hassle-free, yummy way to get nutrients and good things in my body, starting at breakfast. But what else can one do to maintain all the good things G-Tox did in 21 days?
Stay tuned - MCH has agreed to answer this question for everyone! YAY!
G-TOX stumble
Well- this is not a G-tox for the weak... at all... Once you fall off the wagon (which I did at HH's baby shower- mind you not with food, but champagne, and more champagne, and more champagne....) to the end of that event which led to my cheat dinner that night, which led to my thought, "a new day tomorrow" which led to me Have ass-ing it sense then... but,
TOMORROW really is a new day- and a new start for the G-TOX! The best part of it is that everyone around me has been so supportive- from my hubs Ken, to my friend, Liz (who is hard cord what what!), to my boss- Sara! It is amazing how many people have done or are doing a G-tox and are such an encouragement to me. It is not easy, but it is worth it- once you get the kinks worked out!
There are temptations... I am tempted daily by the building with the pink awning- calling my name from anywhere on this island really! (Donut Palace)
I wish I were wired different- I wish I was a person who craved fruits and veggie, but I am not- I am a person who CRAVES donuts and then more donuts... but I am inspired once again by situations, people on my pathway, and my future to really take a LOOOOOOOONNNNNGGG hard look at what goes in my body. I am TRYING everyday to change my thinking from a girl who eats because it tastes good to the girl who eats because it is good for me. I have noticed since my slip off the wagon- how I have changed towards how food makes me feel. Diet cokes are too sweet now that is a PLUS! I LOVE coffee in the morning... but I can't break up with my creamer- got to have a reason to keep going. I love the advocare protein shake- yum! and psyllium husk- you taste good in nothing- period. I am about to take Ken's advice and just "take it as a shot" and most like throw up after...
The song "What if I stumble, what if I fall" is playing in my head as I type this- but it is a new day tomorrow and a new chance to change every step you take from here on out... you will stumble, so will I again, but I truly believe that those stumbles are the ones that grow you.
It's like anything else hard- if it were easy- EVERYONE would do it!
Can I get an AMEN?!?!?
XOXO,
Putting my big girl panties on and dealing with it!
PS- the shower for Hayley was precious! LOVE HER!
Lesson Learned
Big ol' lesson learned on the G Tox: body still needs food.
I was working at a golf tournament yesterday and I KNEW BETTER - I knew they wouldn't have the right kind of food there. Even though breakfast was promising (Chik-fil-A had fruit cups and I grabbed one of those to hold me over), lunch consisted of a hot dog and chips.
I stared at it. What in the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks was I going to do with that?!?
I made a game time decision: eat a few bites of hot dog without the bun, and a few chips.
OK and maybe I'm now G Tox cray-cray, but my tummy instantly rebelled and said "NO MA'AM" - it literally hurt from eating a handful of chips and two bites of hot dog. I pulled some emergency almonds out of my purse and chowed, vowing to make a stellar dinner when I was home and done with the tournament.
I did: I grilled a chicken breast (shared with Cat), made some whole grain brown rice and black beans, and a fresh pico out of tomatoes, onion, jalapenos and avocado. I was famished. Never before had I felt empty or starving on the G Tox but my body definitely told me "Sister, you need to EAT!"
This brought up a few important points for me.
One, I am going to carry a ziploc with a scoop of protein powder and my psyllium husk in my purse. I can find a bottle of water anywhere, meaning, LUNCH. I was unprepared and I paid the price for it.
Two, listen to your body. Mary Claire was very specific in telling me that this is not about deprivation. This is about emptying your body of toxins and bad things, refilling it with new ones. If you are HUNGRY? Truly HUNGRY? Eat something, dangit - but make sure it's unprocessed! Listen to your body and what it's telling you. Do chips and a gross hot dog in a white bun make your stomach turn? PUT IT DOWN.
Pay attention to how your body feels...
Because it will thank you in so many ways.
Aside, I have shed a few pounds, my skin looks aaaahhhhmazing, and I feel like I have a ton of energy. I feel...GOOD. Just good. And that's what this is all about!
I was working at a golf tournament yesterday and I KNEW BETTER - I knew they wouldn't have the right kind of food there. Even though breakfast was promising (Chik-fil-A had fruit cups and I grabbed one of those to hold me over), lunch consisted of a hot dog and chips.
I stared at it. What in the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks was I going to do with that?!?
I made a game time decision: eat a few bites of hot dog without the bun, and a few chips.
OK and maybe I'm now G Tox cray-cray, but my tummy instantly rebelled and said "NO MA'AM" - it literally hurt from eating a handful of chips and two bites of hot dog. I pulled some emergency almonds out of my purse and chowed, vowing to make a stellar dinner when I was home and done with the tournament.
I did: I grilled a chicken breast (shared with Cat), made some whole grain brown rice and black beans, and a fresh pico out of tomatoes, onion, jalapenos and avocado. I was famished. Never before had I felt empty or starving on the G Tox but my body definitely told me "Sister, you need to EAT!"
This brought up a few important points for me.
One, I am going to carry a ziploc with a scoop of protein powder and my psyllium husk in my purse. I can find a bottle of water anywhere, meaning, LUNCH. I was unprepared and I paid the price for it.
Two, listen to your body. Mary Claire was very specific in telling me that this is not about deprivation. This is about emptying your body of toxins and bad things, refilling it with new ones. If you are HUNGRY? Truly HUNGRY? Eat something, dangit - but make sure it's unprocessed! Listen to your body and what it's telling you. Do chips and a gross hot dog in a white bun make your stomach turn? PUT IT DOWN.
Pay attention to how your body feels...
Because it will thank you in so many ways.
Aside, I have shed a few pounds, my skin looks aaaahhhhmazing, and I feel like I have a ton of energy. I feel...GOOD. Just good. And that's what this is all about!
G Tox Village
Everywhere I go, I run into people on the G Tox.
I wrote that one line...and a friend JUST texted me asking about it!
It has been really helpful to listen to the experiences that others are having on the G Tox. I love hearing how people are feeling, the things they try, the things that work and don't work.
Just this morning, Sondra was telling me how she has battled with drinking Dr. Pepper for years and yet, on the G Tox, she hasn't craved one, has been able to not have one without withdrawls, etc.
Now, I'm beginning to sound like an infomercial and before I get all Brazilian Butt Lift on you (yes, I own it, SUCKER)- G Tox isn't some miracle cure for addictions to donuts and Mountain Dew.
But it IS a pretty amazing way to "re-set" your way of thinking about food and your health. We live in such a fast-paced world where convenient food is at an arm's reach...drive-through, grease, starch, fat and guess what? IT'S CHEAP.
Being considerate of what you put in your body takes effort - and time. But there are ways to do it and G Tox is a really great segue into switching to that mind set.
It takes 2 minutes to make a shake. You'd still be in the McDonald's line, I promise. So relax and rest easy knowing that two of your meals are decided for you and they are healthy, filling and EASY. FAST.
Then concentrate on that one meal - how can you pack it full of goodness, how can you enjoy the experience of making it, how can you maximize that one eating opportunity? Even when you eat out (which I do a lot, for work) - take a good look at what is IN the meal you're about to order. Don't be afraid to ask questions: does that have sugar in it? Does it have sauce? Can you bring it on the side? Take charge of what you put in your body - because you know what?
Your body is going to LOVE you for it! Lean on your G Tox Village and share your experiences with others.
I wrote that one line...and a friend JUST texted me asking about it!
It has been really helpful to listen to the experiences that others are having on the G Tox. I love hearing how people are feeling, the things they try, the things that work and don't work.
Just this morning, Sondra was telling me how she has battled with drinking Dr. Pepper for years and yet, on the G Tox, she hasn't craved one, has been able to not have one without withdrawls, etc.
Now, I'm beginning to sound like an infomercial and before I get all Brazilian Butt Lift on you (yes, I own it, SUCKER)- G Tox isn't some miracle cure for addictions to donuts and Mountain Dew.
But it IS a pretty amazing way to "re-set" your way of thinking about food and your health. We live in such a fast-paced world where convenient food is at an arm's reach...drive-through, grease, starch, fat and guess what? IT'S CHEAP.
Being considerate of what you put in your body takes effort - and time. But there are ways to do it and G Tox is a really great segue into switching to that mind set.
It takes 2 minutes to make a shake. You'd still be in the McDonald's line, I promise. So relax and rest easy knowing that two of your meals are decided for you and they are healthy, filling and EASY. FAST.
Then concentrate on that one meal - how can you pack it full of goodness, how can you enjoy the experience of making it, how can you maximize that one eating opportunity? Even when you eat out (which I do a lot, for work) - take a good look at what is IN the meal you're about to order. Don't be afraid to ask questions: does that have sugar in it? Does it have sauce? Can you bring it on the side? Take charge of what you put in your body - because you know what?
Your body is going to LOVE you for it! Lean on your G Tox Village and share your experiences with others.
Help Hand On And Off The Wagon
So, here's what I really do like about the cleanse: you have some wiggle room.
Mary Claire totally reassured me that if something comes up and you HAVE to stray from the guidelines, you can! Don't beat yourself up, just enjoy what you you're about to do and then get back on your shakes and water as soon as possible. As MCH says, "you're doing amazing things for your body the other 20 days!"
JR came into town (aww, more on him in a bit) and I realized that it was a rather unfortunate situation to be drinking protein shakes while he was wanting to try out all my Galveston eating faves. He is very supportive of the detox though, and so we agreed to not fall completely off the wagon: we DID have dinner at Paco's on Friday night, but we shared a bottle of red wine and I had snapper with pico and avocado on it, ate the sugar snap peas and skipped the potatoes au gratin. Was it the healthiest thing in the world? Probably not...but it was a smart choice given my options and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
At HH's baby shower the next day, Haynes and I indulged in a glass of champagne. But I didn't feel the need to eat any of the food there, which was WEIRD.
Because this girl? This girl LIKES TO EAT.
It was at the shower that I realized how this is affecting the way I view food. For one, I am not hungry. Two, I measure and view the food I eat differently. Is it fresh? Is it processed? Did it come from a can or box? It takes time to consider these things and find the answers. But it's totally worth it.
The other really helpful thing is having someone who supports you. JR is very much like me: he loves to cook and eat good food, but he balances it with being active and daily workouts, as well a good healthy diet and lots of water. He was totally on board to not drink alcohol this weekend with me and to encourage me. I can't imagine if I had someone who wasn't a positive asset to this process - it would make it very difficult.
I found myself REALLY ready to be back on the program this morning - I got up, ran my miles, came home and made my shake. JR reported that he finished his morning workout and made his own protein shake.
Happy to be back on the G Tox!
Big shouts out to all the recent newbies also: Allison, you're going to love it!
Mary Claire totally reassured me that if something comes up and you HAVE to stray from the guidelines, you can! Don't beat yourself up, just enjoy what you you're about to do and then get back on your shakes and water as soon as possible. As MCH says, "you're doing amazing things for your body the other 20 days!"
JR came into town (aww, more on him in a bit) and I realized that it was a rather unfortunate situation to be drinking protein shakes while he was wanting to try out all my Galveston eating faves. He is very supportive of the detox though, and so we agreed to not fall completely off the wagon: we DID have dinner at Paco's on Friday night, but we shared a bottle of red wine and I had snapper with pico and avocado on it, ate the sugar snap peas and skipped the potatoes au gratin. Was it the healthiest thing in the world? Probably not...but it was a smart choice given my options and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
At HH's baby shower the next day, Haynes and I indulged in a glass of champagne. But I didn't feel the need to eat any of the food there, which was WEIRD.
Because this girl? This girl LIKES TO EAT.
It was at the shower that I realized how this is affecting the way I view food. For one, I am not hungry. Two, I measure and view the food I eat differently. Is it fresh? Is it processed? Did it come from a can or box? It takes time to consider these things and find the answers. But it's totally worth it.
The other really helpful thing is having someone who supports you. JR is very much like me: he loves to cook and eat good food, but he balances it with being active and daily workouts, as well a good healthy diet and lots of water. He was totally on board to not drink alcohol this weekend with me and to encourage me. I can't imagine if I had someone who wasn't a positive asset to this process - it would make it very difficult.
I found myself REALLY ready to be back on the program this morning - I got up, ran my miles, came home and made my shake. JR reported that he finished his morning workout and made his own protein shake.
Happy to be back on the G Tox!
Big shouts out to all the recent newbies also: Allison, you're going to love it!
SHAKE WHAT YO MAMA GAVE YA
I feel GOOOOOD today. Not kidding, full of energy, full happy tummy, healthy. And the bloating has gone down.
4 days in, I take this as a good sign.
It also doesn't hurt that I've shed some lbs, and two people have complimented me on looking "lean" this morning - I'll TAKE IT. TWICE ON SUNDAY.
Let's talk about the shakes:
I have heard a lot of griping about the shakes and, well, maybe I'm just not picky but I kind of like mine. I might have to make one for Haynes and see if she likes mine better, bless her heart she is NOT enjoying them!
They are thick - I'll give you that. But I dunno...that makes it more filling to me? Hell, I am weird.
Liz's current shake:
1/2 cup plain soy milk
1/2 small banana (too much nana makes it like gummy and funktastic - beware)
1 scoop protein powder (100% whey / chocolate)
1 Tablespoon Psyllium Husk (fiber)
Ice
*Special thanks to Dr. Ashley Group for lending me her amazing blender. It is getting a WORKOUT sister!*
The shakes definitely keep me full...I truly feel like if I WERE to eat, I would be miserable. It's definitely a departure from eating real food but I think it's an adjustment...but all in all, I have found it to be OK. Not terrible. Don't ask Mary Beth Bassett the same questions - she does NOT like the shakes!
I would love to hear what other people put in theirs? Heidi mentioned that she uses the banana and that others were using a scoop of greek yogurt which seems smart because of all the good microbial stuff up in there. I bought some fruit to experiment with but, for now, my recipe seems to be working.
Ask me on Day 15.
4 days in, I take this as a good sign.
It also doesn't hurt that I've shed some lbs, and two people have complimented me on looking "lean" this morning - I'll TAKE IT. TWICE ON SUNDAY.
Let's talk about the shakes:
I have heard a lot of griping about the shakes and, well, maybe I'm just not picky but I kind of like mine. I might have to make one for Haynes and see if she likes mine better, bless her heart she is NOT enjoying them!
They are thick - I'll give you that. But I dunno...that makes it more filling to me? Hell, I am weird.
Liz's current shake:
1/2 cup plain soy milk
1/2 small banana (too much nana makes it like gummy and funktastic - beware)
1 scoop protein powder (100% whey / chocolate)
1 Tablespoon Psyllium Husk (fiber)
Ice
*Special thanks to Dr. Ashley Group for lending me her amazing blender. It is getting a WORKOUT sister!*
The shakes definitely keep me full...I truly feel like if I WERE to eat, I would be miserable. It's definitely a departure from eating real food but I think it's an adjustment...but all in all, I have found it to be OK. Not terrible. Don't ask Mary Beth Bassett the same questions - she does NOT like the shakes!
I would love to hear what other people put in theirs? Heidi mentioned that she uses the banana and that others were using a scoop of greek yogurt which seems smart because of all the good microbial stuff up in there. I bought some fruit to experiment with but, for now, my recipe seems to be working.
Ask me on Day 15.
Everything is better in pairs...
shoes, pants, diamonds... and dieting.
I will say that one of the best things about g-tox for me, has been that Liz and I are doing it together- a pair! (and Hey-tell helps too). We can talk all day about what we are eating, text what we miss, feel good about on this, bloating?!?!, and overall encourage each other.
Is this hard- well no, but it does take planning and time. I am realizing that a lot of what i do/eat is habit and and out of lack of time. It is always going to be easier to eat that pop tart instead of making eggs and fruit. This is so much more than a body cleanse, it is also a wake up call to the things that I am putting in my body and the bodies of my little people. I am encouraged by how I feel and hope soon that my body shows that too...
Thanks for being my partner in crime Liz!
XOXO,
Erin
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