so you wanna live healthier?

a couple of weeks ago, i shared my thoughts on my #30daysofsalads challenge and what i learned from it. 

today i wanted to do a follow up to that post and share some tips in case you have found yourself struggling in staying dedicated to a healthy way of living or a new eating plan. 

thirty days.

warning: really long post.

today marks the first day of may. although i'm sure you knew that the moment you woke up and looked at your calendar. so what's the big deal you say? well the big deal is that april and its thirty days are over. and if you read my blog somewhat consistently, i'm kinda sure you know about my #30daysofsalads challenge.

let me just preface and tell you, it was hard. and at given points i wanted to throw it all out the window and be done with it. you wanna know the verdict? drum roll please....
i couldn't do it. haha. just kidding. i did it. i completed the whole thirty days transforming my eating routine and honestly, i couldn't be happier.
thank you, all of you, for your encouraging words, your emails, your support. you guys rock forever and ever!

in no particular order, let me share some thoughts with you about it.

weight: i lost a total of six pounds. my goal was at least ten. now at first when i got stuck at the six, i was bummed and started to feel defeated, but i was reminded and found peace in knowing, i was doing this more for my morale and freedom from lack of self control. plus it's six pounds less than where i would be right now.

lifestyle: the difference from my energy thirty days ago to now is night and day. sure i get tired by the end of the day but i don't feel sluggish, bloated, and depressed. i have more energy and feel so proud of myself for accomplishing a salad each day for a meal instead of something fried, high in carbs, or sugary for lunch. yes i would have a piece of cake or cupcake for lunch at times. prepping my salads actually get me excited. seriously! going to purchase groceries, the produce section gets me giddy. incorporating more organic, more fresh, more greens into my meals give me a pep in my step. makes me feel like a healthy being!
i haven't craved a burger in about two weeks. week second, i was dying for one. now the thought of it, is kinda gross.

self control: this one's a biggie. i could tell you that i didn't sway once, but i wouldn't be truthful or human for that matter. there were moments were i took a bite or two of mashed potatoes, ate one small cookie, and probably a couple of fries off the kids' plates. but the way i see it, is i controlled myself to just that. i didn't heap a big pile of mashed potatoes onto my plate, stuck with one cookie instead of six in a sitting, and didn't order any fast food for myself. just stole a couple from the kids. most importantly, I kept my cool in the presence of chocolate. now that's self control. this girl LOVES chocolate.

faith: the one thing that helped me through it was knowing i was doing it to honor my temple and letting go of what's controlled me for so long. i wanted to come out of this triumphant with God's help, and from my perspective, i did.

****

now it may not seem like a big deal, but guys, to me it is.to me, it means knowing that i have it in me to let go, let God, and succeed. i have it in me to find self control and hang on it a whole lot more than ever before.
and the best thing is that my body has now become accustomed to this new way of feeding my temple. i'm excited to find new recipes incorporating more veggies for me and my family. i will have to be more creative when it comes to the kids though. juicing anyone?

now that the thirty days are over, now what? well we continue. we continue to live healthy, making better choices and in fact it gets better. during the thirty days, i didn't work out. i was just focusing on the eating aspect of the challenge. but it's time to step it up. starting today, a new challenge begins. #31milesinmay.

walking/jogging/running will be my goal this month. one mile at least per day. if you know me, exercising is never on my to do list. i just don't care much for it. but while i'm trying to transform my lifestyle, i gotta transform my activity as well. so here's to a new challenge. here, here!!

next week i'll go into my methods, tips and routine. stay tuned...

the dress.

a sister in the best of circumstances is a best friend. more than just blood, memories, laughter, stupid moments that only you both can laugh at like the house that wasn't really on fire but she thought it was funny to wake me saying that, and tears make that bond that much stronger.

7 days down.

day 7 - did not take a picture, but took the kids to Gattitown and ate a plateful of their surprisingly fresh salad bar.

if i were to tell you that this past week was a piece of cake on my #30daysofsalads, i'd be a huge liar. it was hard guys.

the first two days were okay. i actually enjoyed it, because i was pretty pumped and on wednesday all of your comments made the day easier. i woke up super hungry but surprisingly, with a little more energy than usual. might have something to do with my body not being filled with carbs galore, you think?
now thursday was hard. i still had good energy, noticeably less bloating but i was hungry and craving a nice juicy burger.  on top of it, i believe it was the day my husband brought home some frapuccinos and ginger spiced cake. men. that's all i have to say on that. haha.
and though my sweet tooth cried. like an ugly cry, i didn't cave.
so as i write this, i am four pounds lighter, have more energy, i can breathe better and my soul, that's the best part. my soul is overflowing. it helps me so much to know that i am doing this to honor the Lord as well. before when it was just me trying to do it on my own, i didn't care one bit if my love handles were exceeding their capacity and if my health was going to waste. now though, i'm allowing myself to be transformed.

Variation has also helped. Not to toot my own horn, but sister here can toss a mean salad.

First week down, three more to go girls. thank you all for your sweet encouragement. you all are the sweetest friends!