New Year...New Me

Welcome 2011!  I am not stepping into this new year, rather I am rushing full speed.  I have created a fairly extensive list of goals that I will be working towards this year.  Not only will I attain each of these goals, I will exceed them.  It's very exciting to feel so confident.

With the first of the year comes a few firsts for me.

The one I am sharing today...

~ Nutrition ~

I had posted my dream board not too long on my Facebook page.

One of the things I put on my board is that I want to adopt

a vegan nutritional plan in 2011.

Cropped picture of my Dream Board for 2011

I joined a 30 day Vegan cleanse support group.  This group consists of approximately 20 members, several of whom are fellow Beachbody coaches.  We live all across the country but will be supporting each other via conference calls, a private Facebook group, and also through individuals emails and phone calls.  This 30 day cleanse is managed by Melissa Costello, personal chef to P90X trainer, Tony Horton.

We all have different reasons for participating in this cleanse.  My main reason is because I need to start this year off with a solid nutritional plan.  I need the accountability to stick to this for 30 days, thus working to create new habits which will then carry me through the rest of the year.  2010 was a very difficult year for me in term of my nutrition and my struggles (not always so openly) with compulsive behaviors in regards to eating.  I am finally at a point where I am not concerned with what the scale says.  I'd really like to keep it that way!  Back to the accountability.  Knowing I will be checking in with the group members, leaning on them and supporting them in kind, it comforts me to know I am not alone in this journey.  It's not going to be easy.  For me, who sometimes does not have complete control over my actions when it comes to eating, I am both extremely excited yet also slightly nervous to go through 30 days with no cheating, no indulgences, no (gasp) chocolate!  No gluten, no dairy, very limited sugar, very limited processed foods.  However - to be able to create full flavored, whole food meals without the things that slow me down, that make me tired, that add weight and bloat, that cause addiction...that's super exciting!  Get the garbage out of my system, I'm ready.

I will be journaling this 30 day journey here on my blog.  Be forewarned, I will be posting a LOT.  I want to be accountable to everyone and anyone who is willing to read this.  I want to share my struggles, my accomplishments, my frustrations and my enthusiasm.  I want to share what changes I feel within me - both physically and emotionally.

My plans, once these 30 days end and the group closes, are to keep in touch with the folks that will be holding me accountable throughout...and I want to stick as closely to this nutritional plan (within reason as I am comfortable with) for the rest of this year.  I know that if I can follow through with this and take it day by day while focusing on my larger goals, that I can both feel and look the way I want to, without being held back by poor nutritional choices (as was the case for all of 2010).

For those of you who know what it is like to struggle often with eating - with overeating - with compulsive eating behaviors...or with any eating disorders or struggles in general - you will understand how hard these 30 days might be for me.  I will gladly accept and appreciate any support, inspiration, kind words, suggestions you want to share.  I welcome your comments.

It was not easy for me to be so honest with all of you - sharing my issues with my nutrition.  Some of my close friends know that I have been struggling with these things on and off all year, but it's not something I was shouting from the rooftops.  I mean, really, it's embarrassing.  I am a coach...I help people to get more physically fit.  I talk about nutrition all the time...yet I still struggle myself.  I am absolutely confident that this plan that I am putting into place for January, then going forward, will be the driving force behind my ability to overcome the obstacles that held me back last year.  I will be happier, more positive, less frustrated, and most importantly...the person I have been wanting to be.  I will not just want....I will follow through.

This year I will focus largely on personal development.  I am looking forward to sharing my journey.  Thank you for your support and for your kindness.

Whoa - I did not intend to post such serious thoughts, but that's what happens when I open my heart.  Let's lighten up a bit, shall we?

Here's my 30 day Vegan Cleanse ~ Day 1:

~ Breakfast-1/4 cup steel cut oats with frozen organic dark cherries and raw almonds

~ Snack-Brad's Raw Leafy Kale, Naked Vegan Cheese flavor (1/3 serving)

~ Lunch-huge bowl of chopped lettuce, 1/4 cup organic black beans, 6T fresh salsa

~ Snack-sprouted brown rice cake with 1T organic unsalted peanut butter
~ Dinner-roasted carrots, asparagus, zucchini and 2oz brown rice (spinach) pasta with a spritz of extra virgin olive oil and garlic.

~ Snack-Larabar (peanut butter cookie)

I did not drink enough water - about 75 ounces.  I took a long walk (around 3.5 to 4 miles) and listened to Chalene's Car Smart.  I have had a headache all day due to limited sleep last night (one more reason I am looking forward to this cleanse - so that I will sleep better!!) and I will admit, I felt irritable today...probably due to the lack of sleep last night.  I did weigh myself this morning, something I haven't done in a few weeks because, well if you saw my last post, I am not a fan of the scale.  I am interested in seeing where that number might fall on January 31st.  I did not at all feel hungry today.  Looking forward to tomorrow!!

Now, for some pictures...

Here's my fridge after spending a small fortune at Wegmans yesterday.

Winter squash and such

Tonight's dinner!  :o)