Challenge vs. Lifestyle? I CHOOSE LIFESTYLE!

How are you today? I am grateful.

Grateful for the awareness that I'm experiencing.

So as I stated I am taking part in a 28 day clean eating challenge. Today,  it occurred to me that clean eating is now my LIFESTYLE.

Now granted I'm a couple of days in and when the "plan" is  new you are determined and focused, however I've been really dramatic on some level. It's a level that I have only seen demonstrated in individuals who have SUCCESSFULLY lost weight and keep the weight OFF.

What is it you ask. Here it is. They always have food. They carry their food to school, work, the gym, meetings, to the mall. They have a pretty good idea about what they are going to eat that day. If they go out to eat they are CONSCIOUS about what they are eating.  I'm turning into one of "those" people.

1. I have appropriate food in my car, purse and always something in my fridge. I have snacks at my desk. 
2. I went to a conference this week that provided lunch. I knew that lunch was provided but I still packed my own lunch.
3. Today I went to the mall with my friend and my daughter. I packed snacks for my lil one and I made MYSELF a veggie shake  to take with me. I packed water, fruit and my shake. Now some people would be like "so what?" but these are big things to ME!

Preparing my food is time consuming. I will not lie. However, I can eat at my convenience without waiting for my order to be ready. I don't spend additional money purchasing meals. Finally, it always tastes good!!

Tools are important. Minimally, I need a cutting board, seasoning, an electric grill, an oven, a blender,  travel food storage containers and a bag that can accommodate my food. I also menu plan.

Due to work changes I'm going to invest in a food thermos.

This clean eating  is a challenge but it will become MY LIFESTYLE!

~Shantelle

Water, exercise, clean eating, passion for health check!

The Journey Continues!

Wow! it's been so long since I blogged...

So much has happened since my last post. Great things and not so great things.  2012 was such a difficult year but it allowed for an amazing amount of growth and strength.

So this may be new for some of you and forgotten by most.

I have re-read my blog and I am thankful for it. I am so proud of what I started with this blog and I am glad that I was reminded of it. Now it's time to continue it.

I am proud to report that I have NOT fallen off of my journey. I may look the same to you but I have never grown complacent with the weight. I still regularly drink water from a clear water bottle, I still take my lunch and I often plan my meals.

I have attended the gym more than I ever have in the last year. My friend even helped me to believe in myself that I can make it the gym at the crack of dawn  (read 5:00 a.m.). How you may ask, she accompanied me! Now that is a friend.

I have jogged. I have medical clearance on how long I can run/jog for not to damage myself.  I've tried yoga! I learned to swim! I delivered a healthy baby girl!

I have learned that I need to respect, honor and listen to MY body. I have limitations that I need to take into consideration as I continue on this journey. I have no arches in my feet that can make my back ache badly. Lack of arches throws my knees off  making squats hard on my body.  If I'm not careful, trying to work out like the person going hard in the gym, I won't be able to do much, if anything at all.

Currently, I am on  a clean eating 28 day challenge . I don't eat a lot of processed food generally however I don't always make the best food choices. When I do eat well, I don't exercise. I'm not giving up by any means. Today is successful day 2. The purpose of the challenge for me is to get my mind right and while doing this challenge to make exercise a habit.

Ezekiel bread, quinoa, bulgar, green smoothies  (read Kale and spinach plus fruit) , baked yams,  foods baked, boiled, and  grilled, almond milk, almond butter, egg white omelets, fresh herbs, and  moderation of white flour products and desserts are all parts of the journey that I'm not sure I could have imagined being normal in my world but they have been in my blogging absence.

I'm in a different space than I have been in the past. My energy is positive and grateful. I'm embracing my emotions as they affect my life.

I continue to be passionate about being healthy!

Water and passion,  check!

~Shantelle