The holidays are always tough for me, especially Thanksgiving. There are so many yummy options and temptations. If Grandma tells you to try something, you do as you're told. Let's just say that I consumed a lot of treats last Thursday and Friday, including pie, cookies, wine and pizza...Typically, my approach is to workout really hard so I can indulge guilt-free. However, this year I decided to take a slightly different approach. I still worked out, but I decided to enjoy all of the delicious food and follow it up by doing a 3-day cleanse.
Now, this was my first cleanse EVER! I have to admit that I was VERY skeptical going in because as many of you know, I love my food. The 3-Day Refresh seemed like a good fit because I was still able to eat food. SCORE! However, I was going to miss meat, dairy and COFFEE...say what?! I figured it was only 3 days so I went for it.
I lost SIX POUNDS! Not too shabby for only 3 days! I know it's cliche but I really do feel refreshed and lighter. I'm finding that I'm craving fruits and vegetables and not the sweets. SHOCKER!
The HARDEST part of this 3 days was missing my morning COFFEE and smelling yummy CHILI that Troy made on Saturday. Pure torture!
Surprisingly, the cleanse itself was VERY gentle on the digestive track. I was afraid that it would send me running to the bathroom. It didn't, thank goodness! You don't have to fear leaving your house. :)
I promise that I did not starve myself to get these results. See below all of the food I ACTUALLY got to eat!
DAY 1
BREAKFAST: I started the morning off with my Vegan Chocolate Shakeology, water and 1/2 a frozen banana. I have to admit that I have never made my Shakeology with water before (milk all the way for this girl). However, it did the job.
MID-MORNING - FIBER SWEEP: Disgusting is all I have to say! I did not enjoy this one bit.
Between the fiber sweep and lunch I got an awful headache. I'm not sure if it was the lack of calories or caffeine withdrawal from not having my coffee. Either way, it was no fun. It went away after I had lunch, thank goodness!
LUNCH: Vanilla Fresh shake, 2 stalks of celery, 1/2 an apple, 1.5 tsp almond butter. The vanilla fresh shake was actually pretty good (not as good as Shakeology but WAY better than the fiber sweep).
SNACK: 5 baby carrots and 2 tbsp hummus
AFTERNOON TEA: caffeine-free tea and it was delicious!
DINNER: Vanilla fresh shake with ice and cinnamon and a spinach salad. I devoured every bite.
Overall thoughts after Day 1 - I survived but I wanted to quit, like seriously! The only reason I continued on Day 2 was because of Troy - THANK YOU!
DAY 2
BREAKFAST: Chocolate vegan Shakeology with 1/2 frozen banana.
MID-MORNING - FIBER SWEEP: Day 2 and I literally had to choke this down. SICK!
No headache today! YAY!
LUNCH: Vanilla Fresh shake, 2 stalks of celery, 1/2 an apple, 2 tbsp hummus. I added vanilla and cinnamon to my vanilla fresh shake this time around. Tasty!
SNACK: 5 baby carrots and 2 tbsp hummus
AFTERNOON TEA: caffeine-free tea
DINNER: Vanilla fresh shake with ice, cinnamon and pure vanilla extract and a spinach salad. Yes, I know I'm so boring for eating the same thing again. Maybe I'll mix things up tomorrow.
DAY 3
BREAKFAST: Chocolate vegan Shakeology with 1/2 frozen banana.
MID-MORNING - FIBER SWEEP: YUCK - I don't think I will ever learn to love this.
I think I waited a little too long before eating lunch because I was super shaky. Once I got some food in my stomach I felt a lot better.
LUNCH: Vanilla Fresh shake, tomatoes, 1/2 an apple and 2 tbsp hummus.
SNACK: Tomatoes and almond butter.
AFTERNOON TEA: caffeine-free tea
DINNER: Vanilla fresh shake with ice, cinnamon and pure vanilla extract and a Cucumber-Tomato Salad. It wasn't as good as the spinach salad, in my opinion.
I have been asked if I would do the 3-day refresh again - ABSOLUTELY! It took discipline and some planning, but it gave me the nutrition jump-start that I needed. Plus, I lost SIX pounds in the process - BONUS!!
