Modern Wife Life

Eight months ago I bought a 4' x 4' blank canvas to create artwork for my apartment.  See the DIY here. After a few months I realized those colors weren't totally me.  They felt loud and draining.  I needed something calming.  I think I got it this time!  Check out the transformation I made this weekend.  The crazy part?  I used the exact same colors as I used the first time, just in different ways.  

What did my "Modified Dr. Oz 3 Day Cleanse" consist of?  I had two of the smoothies for meal-replacements each day (see below for smoothie tricks).  These consisted of spinach, pineapple, apples, kale, lemon, lime.  Then, for a Dylan-spin on the cleanse, I sprinkled in salads with dried cranberries and crumbled blue cheese, organic Panda licorice, and air-popped popcorn.  Yum, yum, and yum.  Seriously though, if you have not tried Panda licorice you must get to the store right now.  I'd recommend the black licorice, followed by the blueberry and raspberry flavors.

What are my green smoothie tricks?  I have three tricks. 

1) A Vitamix is essential if you are adding celery to your green smoothie. I got mine for 40% off when I worked for Zappos.  Score score! 

2) Add a cucumber to temper the dirt-flavor of leafy greens.

3) Always add 1.5 cups of ice.  Ice thickens the smoothie up to make it feel like more of a meal.  It's much more satisfying.

What were my workouts?

Monday: 30 minutes of Kayla Itsines Legs & Cardio (Jump squats, Squats, Lunges, Knee Ups, X Jumps, Burpees, Step Ups, Weighted Squat Clean & Press). 

Tuesday: 4.5 mile walk since it was LISS day (Low Intensity Steady State).

Wednesday: 30 Minutes of Kayla Itsines Arms & Abs (Push ups, Medicine ball squat & press, Lay down push ups, Tricep dips, Mountain climbers, Ab bikes, Sit ups with twist, Straight leg sit ups). 

What are my results so far?

I've maintained the exact same weight, but I've noticed physical changes. The first thing I've noticed is my arms.  My arms are tighter and getting some legit muscle definition.  I prefer the term yoked.  This week for the first time I'm starting to see results in my abs and waistline.  That is always the second area I see results.  The last area to change is my booty and legs.  I am a dancer so I know this booty isn't going anywhere, but I'd like a little less jiggle. Buns of steel would be lovely please. 

What am I learning?

1) Eating right HUGELY accelerates your physical changes.   

2) It's not realistic to try to eat right 100% of the time. 80% is more realistic for me.

3) I really need some more variety in my workout playlist. 

4) Wearing lighter-weight shoes on cardio day is a good mental trick. Ex: I wear my Nike Frees for cardio/legs and my clunkier Asics for other days.

5) Processed sugar = emotional instability.  I'm basically convinced.

XOXO,

Dylan

What did I eat days 9 - 15?  Blueberries, Ground Turkey Tacos in Lettuce Wraps, Apple, Banana, Spinach, Dried Cranberries, Brocolli, Pineapple, Plums, Cabbage, Cucumber, Sugar Snap Peas, Canteloupe, Scrambled Eggs, and Plums. 

What was the first thing I ate when I went off the Whole 30?  A Rice Krispy Bar.  You betcha.

What were my workouts?
Tuesday: 4 mile walk since it was LISS day (Low Intensity Steady State).
Wednesday: 30 minutes of Kayla Itsine's Arms & Abs (Weighted Squat Clean & Press, Tricep Dips, Commandos, Straight Leg Jackknife, Sit Ups, Mountain Climbers, Push Ups, Leg Raises, Lay Down Push Ups).
Thursday:  LISS day so a 10 mile walk!  Did I really just do that?
Friday: 4 mile power walk
Saturday: 9 mile walk
Sunday: 8.5 mile walk

What's next for the health & fitness initiative?
I'm not totally going rogue.  I will continue to do the Kayla Itsine's Bikini Body Guide.  I love it and I'm already seeing results in my arms.  This week, Monday through Wednesday, I will do the Dr. Oz 3-day cleanse to get me back on track after my sweets this weekend.  After my Dr. Oz cleanse-reset I will follow the Kayla Itsine's Bikini Body Guide Food Plan.  This plan doesn't count out entire food groups, like carbs and dairy, unlike Whole 30.  I think it will be a much better, less shocking-to-the-system plan, that I can stick to.  

What have I learned so far?

1.   My body adjusts much more quickly to strenuous workout plans than it does to aggressive changes in my diet.  
2. I walk a lot.
3.  My mood is much more stable when I don't eat candy and sweets.
4. Meat is expensive!
5. Whole 30 is not for everyone.  And that's okay.

Curious about this Dr. Oz 3 day reset cleanse?

See below.  I've done this 3 times now and every time I feel amazing from Day 2 onwards.  I'd highly recommend this as a reset button.

Love,

Dylan

7 minutes on each circuit x 2 = 28 minutes total

Today was such a Monday. 

What did I eat today?  Pineapple, Blueberries ($1.50/lb at Kress!), Egg Scramble, Carrot

What did I want to eat? A Costco-sized bag of M&M's

What was today's workout? 30 minutes of Kayla Itsine's Legs & Cardio (Burpees, Jump Lunges, Knee Ups, Sumo Squats, Skipping, Walking Lunges, Raised Reverse Lunges, Jump Squats)

How do I feel?  Honestly, I don't feel that great from the Whole30 plan.  I'm told this stomach pain is called "gut healing" and means that your digestive system is in shock from eliminating carbohydrates.   Part of me is doubting Whole30.  I do like the effects and soreness from the Kayla Itsine's Bikini Body Workout though.  I feel like it's working on me a little bit.  

"Each day you cross off is another day you'll never have to endure again." - Mama McCann

XOXO,
Dylan