Well folks, it’s late and I’m a crazy lady, but I wanted to hop on here and update y’all on my Oxygen Challenge! I have to say I LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE it!
Yes, it’s tough.
Yes, it takes a lot of planning and prepping.
Yes, it takes a lot of will power.
Yes, I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices.
But, I LOVE IT!
I feel great, motivated, healthy, happy, encouraged and excited to see where this journey will take me.
Tomorrow will be my ONE WEEK mark. I’ve lost about 3 pounds, but my weight was up a few pounds to begin with from all of me “pre-challenge endulgences.” Ha ha. So, I’m pretty much at my low post-pregnancy weight (still 6-7 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight), which I’m happy about. I’m not obsessing about my weight though because I know I’m eating well, fueling my body properly and consistently exercising….I figure my body and my weight will “land” where it’s supposed to “land.”
I’m surprised by the results I’m already seeing and feeling though! They are very, very subtle, but I’m definitely feeling them! My body feels good. I have more energy and my body feels “clean.” It’s hard to explain, but I can actually feel my appetite stabilizing, my body letting go of water weight and my digestion becoming more “regular.” Ha ha. Ya know, when I was little I’d see those commercials with people talking about “being regular” and I wondered what in the heck they were talking about. Then when I found out what they were talking about, I still didn’t really understand the concept.
Now I get it.
When I eat junk food (i.e. processed foods, fast foods, sugar, etc.), my body and digestion suffer. I always drink a lot of water, but when I eat crappy (pardon the pun), the water just stores in my body and I bloat up like crazy! I also become more “stopped up” in other ways. Yes, I know it’s TMI, but I’m happy to share these “exciting details” with y’all in hopes that it helps someone else out there.
You should all feel loved. Mwah.
Anyway, when I eat clean (lots of real food and none of the crap), my body normalizes. It feels like it was born to feel like. My body tells me it’s hungry in a nice quiet way; not a “ravenous, out of control, mad cravings, want to eat everything in my path” kind of hunger. I also pee all the time (I know I’ve mentioned that many times on my blog, but it is such an interesting and direct way I can tell how my body is functioning.) I also become more regular. Yay! Essentially, my body starts to work like it should!
Ya know, all of the chemicals, mega salt, fake fats and insane amounts of sugar our society eats, really, really, really mess with our bodies and hormones. That is why America is so friggin’ obese! It’s so so sad. Food (and all the crap we put in our food!) is an addiction and most people aren’t willing to let go and eat good, healthy (less exciting) food. Food should fuel our bodies and help us to look and feel our best; food should not be an addiction, obsession and killer of health, hopes and dreams.
I could go on and on and on, but I will stop now. You’re welcome.
Anyway, this Oxygen Challenge really speaks to my heart. I know that sounds cheesy, but it does. I’m eating the way I really feel I should be eating. I’m eating lots of real food, none of the crap and I’m trying to keep my blood sugar stable by eating 5 small meals and eating until I’m satisfied, not FULL.
I’m also LOVING the exercise plan. The workouts are short (about 20 minutes), but they are intense and effective. I DO NOT have the time or desire to spend hours and hours at the gym. I also don’t think it’s necessary. I think consistency and efficiency is key. If you exercise regularly (make it a normal part of your life most days) and make sure to really push yourself (i.e. lift heavy and work your butt off), you WILL see results.
BTW, the workouts will increase in difficulty and time as the challenge continues, but even in the third month the workouts look reasonable and liveable. I imagine the longest workouts will take me about 45 minutes.
I can’t share the actual workouts with you guys, but I will tell you the basic makeup of the workouts. For now, we’re doing a lot of resistance training and a little bit of cardio. We have one official rest day a week and 1-2 more optional rest days. Since I was already working out before this challenge, I’ve only taken the one rest day a week.
We work lower body one day, upper body one day, full-body one day and cardio one day. Over the weeks, we start to add in HIIT bursts, more abs, longer cardio days and more intense resistance training.
It’s a great workout program, but there’s nothing magical about it. It’s pretty much what I expected it to be. Again, working out HARD and consistently (5-6 days a week) is key.
I haven’t taken any pictures in the gym or doing resistance training, but I did take a pic out on a run with the baby a few days ago…
I ran almost 4 miles, and I sorta/kinda liked it. I was happy to be running, but it was HOT! I’m a wuss in the heat. I was glad I got ‘er done though!
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My brother (from Georgia) and sister (from Connecticut) and their families have been visiting this week and I’ve loved it! We’ve been busy, busy, busy, but we’ve had a lot fun.
I’ve definitely had to be “on top of my game” for my challenge though. We’ve gone out to eat quite a few times, but I’ve always tried to pick the best things on the menu.
Exhibit A: A Strawberry and Spinach salad from Cutler’s.
Exhibit B: A Cobb Salad from Corner Bakery Cafe (I only used a drizzle of the dressing.)
Here’s a pic of me, my cute mom and sissy at Corner Bakery Cafe…
And Exhibit C: My Cobb Salad from Archibald’s.
I actually ate this for lunch today with a bunch of the girls (mom, sisters, sister-in-laws and nieces) in my family. I didn’t take a picture of the whole group (my sister DID take one though, so if she sends it to me, I’ll post it!), but I did get a pic of me and my sweet babe…
Look how big he’s getting!???! What in the world!???!
Ya know, it’s tough to eat well at restaurants. It’s so fun to indulge and order whatever in the heck you want, BUT I try to just go into a restaurant with a healthy mindset and order good things! Thankfully, I enjoy salads.
I’ve spent a lot of time away from home the past week, so “food prep” has been so important!
I cooked a bunch of brown rice, sweet potato chips, hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken and cut up a bunch of lettuce.
I also made some baked oatmeal (can’t share the actual recipe, but I’m sure you could find other recipes on the internet!)
and some Meatza (pizza on a meat crust) that was phenomenal (again, sorry I can’t share the recipe!)
I’ve also been enjoying eggs with Ezekiel toast (dry) for breakfast a lot…
Salad with grilled chicken and brown rice for lunch…
Plain Greek yogurt with fruit and a little stevia mixed in…
And LOTS of protein shakes!
We also had dinner up at my parent’s house on Sunday and I made sure to only eat the good, “legal” things…a hamburger patty topped with ketchup, mustard and guacamole, a yummy salad, watermelon and pickles!
Yes, it takes a lot of commitment to continue to eat well and stay away from the junk, but it’s all a matter of mind set. I just continue to make good choices and don’t allow myself to eat crap; I’m determined to stick with it and THAT is THAT.
I can be quite stubborn when I want to be!
We took this cute pic of me and my sisters on Sunday…
Love them!
I also went to the Mormon Tabernacle Pioneer Day concert with my parents, sister and nephews over the weekend and I loved it! FYI, Pioneer Day is on July 24th and it’s essentially “Utah’s birthday.” It’s the day the pioneers first arrived in Utah in 1847.
It was a phenomenal concert full of so many of my favorite Broadway songs! Broadway star Laura Osnes was the guest soloist and she was fabulous! She is so talented, absolutely gorgeous and looks just like a real-life Disney Princess to me (she did recently play Cinderella on Broadway!) You can watch the entire concert below if you so desire. I would HIGHLY recommend it, btw. LOVED every MINUTE!
My sister and I also took a beautiful selfie. I LOVE the Conference Center. It is such an incredible building!
Well that pretty much sums up my insanely insane life lately! We are planning on spending the entire day at Lagoon Amusement Park tomorrow! I’m so excited. I’m NOT PREGNANT, so I can actually ride the rides this year! Yahoo!
Oh, we also DID attend Chick Fil-A’s Cow Appreciation day last week (the day before my Challenge started….hallelujah.) Here’s proof….
Don’t mind my messy bathroom! I love these cows!
Well, I gotta hit the hay!!! Love y’all!!!
Looks like you are doing amazing with the challenge, and most importantly… enjoying it.
Thanks so much Abby. Yes, I’m actually really enjoying this challenge. It’s tough, but not tough at the same time. It’s exactly what I need in my life right now!
Eating out is tough when you’re trying to watch what you eat. My husband and I do Weight Watchers. They have that point system instead of counting calories. My point limit per day is 32 if I’m trying to maintain. 26 if I’m trying to lose. The Wendy’s strawberry fields chicken salad is 9 points, which isn’t bad for fast food. I was running around yesterday and stopped in a Jack in the Box for lunch. I thought the teriyaki chicken bowl would be okay if I didn’t eat all the rice, but it was 18 points! Ugh! Why? it was just chicken and veggies and rice with a little sauce. They sneak some butter fat in there?
I know, when I look at the nutritional facts in some of the restaurant foods out there, I’m floored! There are so many things that look pretty innocent, but ARE NOT! It’s so eye opening to me. I think the Weight Watcher Points system really helps to identify good choices and bad choices. It’s really eye opening.
Eating out remains my biggest struggle. I’ve been on weight watchers for about a week now and I’m changing the way I look at food so different. Totally viewing it as strictly fuel and starting to feel a tiny bit cleaner, but it’s going to be a process!!!
I agree, eating out is TOUGH! I used to order my favorite entrees (healthy or not!) every time I ate out and I would always end up eating way too much! Now, I try to find a healthy option that I still love. I get to enjoy eating out, but don’t feel disappointed in myself afterward. Healthy eating and healthy living is definitely a process. I consider it a lifelong process; I’m always learning and tweaking things to best fit my life. I wish you all the best Jen!!!
Love the picture of you & your sisters, beautiful. Glad you are enjoying the challenge !
Thanks so much Karen! I’m so happy to have both of my sisters in town!
Mel you’re awesome! Eating clean feels so good 🙂
Have a fabulous Friday!
Thanks so much for your support Jill! You’re the best!
LOVE this. If I go one day without a decent “movement” I’m all kinds of thrown off. Thankfully that rarely happens, and if it does it’s because I opened at work and threw off my body clock. OR because I ate something that my body rejected and I had crazy inflammation. So happy you found something that’s working for you!
Thanks so much Britt! I know it’s so interesting how digestion has such an impact on overall health, but I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised!