Day 9- Inspiring Others

Good evening friends! I really look forward to this time of night when I can nestle down and share my day with you all. I never thought I would be blogging....ever. But this is like a journal for me, and it helps keep me on track to write about my day and write down everything that went into my mouth :) This also makes me accountable because I have just found out over the last few days that a lot of people are reading this. It does my heart good to know that I have been inspiring others. Believe me, I am no one extraordinary. I am just like everyone of you. I have had struggles with food and weight all of my life, and have failed with dieting many, many times. I am on the road again to eating right and losing weight, but I have made the choice to make it my lifestyle. I turned 45 in January, and I have found that I can't get away with things like I used to, like drinking caffeine or eating bad foods. It makes my body ache and just makes me feel flat out crappy. Since I have been eating clean, my body feels ten years younger and I don't have any pain! Now I need to back up a bit here. I don't think I have mentioned this yet, but before I started eating clean, I went to the chiropractor a few weeks ago, and I was in so much pain all over my body. He tested me for Fibromyalgia, and I do indeed have it. 12 out 18 pressure points that he tested turned out postive, and just about sent me through the roof when he touched those points. He advised me to come in twice a month to get adjusted, exerise, and CHANGE MY DIET. Wow....and was he right. There are just certain foods that my body does not like. Caffeine is definitely one of them. I will eventually be able to eat grains and bread again (at a minimum) once my body is cleaned. But truthfully, I am adjusting pretty well to the meal plan I am on. I cannot have any bread or dairy right now, but those are two foods that really do me no good. Since I have cut out dairy, my sinuses have settled down a lot and my stomach feels much better. And cutting out bread has really helped the weight loss. I LOVE bread! I could live on bread alone, but unfortunatley it doesn't help my weight. So, if clean eating is going to keep me pain free, give me a clear mind, and help me reach my weight loss goals, then it is so worth it!

I have received several emails from people that have told me that since they have been following my blog, it has helped them eat better and lose weight! This just makes me so, so happy! I love to inspire others and help in any way I can. I hope you all stick with me through this. I have a goal to reach and I know it will take a while to get there, but I am driven this time.

Well, my day was good today. I think all of my cravings have left my body. Now I eat to live, and not live to eat! I went out with my mom this morning for our weekly coffee/tea outing. We went to Caffe Ibis and I had herbal tea. I took my own cup of strawberries and some almonds. A good friend of mine joined us too, and we had a nice hour and a half of visiting. Came home and worked all afternoon on my Zumba choreography and learned some great new stuff! Zumba has brought so much happiness into my life. A friend of mine who is also a Zumba instructor called and asked if I would sub for her Zumba class at USU tonight. I love teaching up there! Those kids love anything you give them, and they have the best energy! The class was fun and full of young college kids who were eager to dance.

I want to encourage all of you reading this to get out and move! Even if it is just taking a walk around the block. Have a splendid night everyone. Hugs to y'all! Here is my meal plan for today:

Breakfast-
1 c. strawberries
20 almonds
1 c. green tea
32 oz water

Mid morning snack-
1 oz wheatgrass juice
2 scrambled egg whites

Lunch-
Tossed green salad with grilled chicken, green bell pepper, carrots, tomatoes, jicama and low-cal Italian dressing
2o pistachio nuts

Mid afternoon snack-
Smoothie with 1 c. almond milk, 1 apple, 1/2 c. frozen blueberries and handful of spinach

Dinner-
Leftover chicken stir fry

After dinner snack-
1 c. almond milk