NSFW How changing my diet changed my body......

[kathyt]

Over the last 6 plus months or so I have incorporated juicing into my diet for one main meal a day, and sometimes two. Besides juicing I have went to a clean, whole food diet. So basically food you find on the outer aisles at your grocery store. No processed food. No fast food. No junk food, and the only sugar I consume is in the form of natural sugars found in the fruits I use to juice with. I will add that when I do juice I mainly use veggies, and less fruits to avoid the added sugar. I use ALOT of greens.
I do eat what I want on occasion, but not too often. If I really want a cupcake...I eat a cupcake. I don't deprive myself of anything, because I wanted this to be a lifestyle change and not a diet. What I have found is that I feel better, my body is now used to the healthier way of eating, and I no longer crave the complex carbs.
I just thought I would share my experience, because it really has changed my views on food. I will add that I also exercise about 5 days a week, and that is a key component in this equation. I have seen major changes in my body since I have changed my diet, and the amount of energy I have. I don't want to lose anymore weight at this time, but I do want to continue to tone certain areas. If anyone has any questions about juicing in general please feel free to ask.

 

[oldhippy]

Great lifestyle, congrats

 

[kathyt]

Great lifestyle, congrats

Thank you. I also wanted to add that protein needs to be a big part of another meal, especially if you workout frequently.

 

[terri34 6]

That's awesome, Kathy, and you look great! I don't juice because I don't like drinking my veggies, per se - but I follow what is generally known as the Mediterranean diet. Whole foods, whole grains, veggies, fruit, and of course that precious glass of red wine. :mrgreen: I do yoga almost daily (addictive!).

I just like it!

 

[kundalini]

Good on you Kathy. I applaud your decisions, except one.

Photo #4 sucks as evidence.

I'm not as committed as you or terri, but I do make an effort to stay away from junk foods. I don't keep sweets in the house, I haven't had a soda in years (the occasional ginger-ale doesn't count, does it?), I only buy whole wheat breads and pastas, and I actually cook, with real food, with real ingredients and with real spices.

 

[kathyt]

Good on you Kathy. I applaud your decisions, except one.

Photo #4 sucks as evidence.

I'm not as committed as you or terri, but I do make an effort to stay away from junk foods. I don't keep sweets in the house, I haven't had a soda in years (the occasional ginger-ale doesn't count, does it?), I only buy whole wheat breads and pastas, and I actually cook, with real food, with real ingredients and with real spices.

If one of the mods will add NSFW to the title I will add a better picture.

 

[runnah]

I've been on a health kick for the last 6 months. Bought a bike in August and put over 1k on it so far. My diet has always been good because I hate sweets, but love breads and cheese. Now it's tougher because of limited day light and I travel like crazy during the winter so lots of gross road food.

And for gods asked change the title!

 

[kundalini]

<snip>2. What do you do when the fruit and veg is out of season?<snip>

You freeze them while they are in season.

QUICK TIP:
Cool the fruit or veg in the refrigerator first. When placing said fruit or veg in a zip lock bag, place a drinking straw in the corner. Zip up to the straw and suck all the air out. While sucking (certain people may may be better than most ) , pull the straw out and immediately finish the zip. Most fruits are good for six months, veggies a little longer. Peach cobbler in February anyone?

 

[rexbobcat]

Congrats Kathy! Vegetables and fruits are both a boon and a bane. I can never eat fruit fast enough before it starts to go south.

My diet in general is terrible. By the time I'm done with work/class/other obligations, I'm done lol. It's a Ramen noodle night every night at my house.

Plus the fact that I work and go to class mornings and afternoons and I don't get a lunch break, so I only get one meal a day (sometimes two if I wake up early enough to eat breakfast).

I want to get back into healthy eating and exercising. I NEED to eat more, and more healthy things especially, because this last year I have become almost underweight. I literally forget to eat.

Ain't nobody got time fo' dat.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Ju ju ju juicy!

 

[limr30 3]

Good for you, Kathy!

I've been staying as far away as possible from processed foods for a while now, and it really has made a difference. For a while, I was eating a lot of soy-based products to get my protein in (I eat a piece of salmon once in a while but otherwise, I'm essentially a vegetarian) but I didn't like how much I'd come to rely on them. Way too easy. I also started feeling like it was affecting thyroid function. I stopped buying those products and pulled out my crock pot. Each weekend, I'll make a big pot of some sort of veggie/legume combo and I eat that during the week. If there's still some left at the end of the week, I freeze the rest so I don't get sick of it, and I make something new on the weekend again.

It's been really great and I don't know about Kathy, but to answer Peter's questions:

I have 3 questions.

1. How much more is your grocery bill since starting this?

2. What do you do when the fruit and veg is out of season?

3. Where did you find such a big telly?

1. My grocery bill has gone WAY DOWN since I started eating this way.
2. Eat what IS in season (there's always something in season.) or rehydrate the stuff I dried in the summer.
3. Yeah, can't help you with that one

I was doing some green veggie smoothies for a while, but like terri, I prefer to have my foods solid, so I just focus on eating whole foods for my meals and making sure that anything I buy that is prepackaged (like Triscuits or bread or something) has as few ingredients as possible.

 

[kathyt]

I have 3 questions.

1. How much more is your grocery bill since starting this?

2. What do you do when the fruit and veg is out of season?

3. Where did you find such a big telly?

1. My groceries are cheaper. With processed/pre-packaged foods you pay more for that.
2. I buy what is in season so it gives variety to what I am juicing.
3. Big TV came from Best Buy. I love having it mounted on the wall, because it saves so much space.

 

[kathyt]

That's awesome, Kathy, and you look great! I don't juice because I don't like drinking my veggies, per se - but I follow what is generally known as the Mediterranean diet. Whole foods, whole grains, veggies, fruit, and of course that precious glass of red wine. :mrgreen: I do yoga almost daily (addictive!).

I just like it!

Thank you. I didn't always like a lot of fruits because of the textures, and now I will juice pretty much anything and like it. I have really surprised myself on how much I enjoy the juice.

 

[JTPhotography]

Great post Kathy! You are a role model. I started my health kick about 6 years ago. My first step was getting my eating under control, I was a runner and my appetite got out of hand, I lightened up my exercise and started counting calories. 6 years later I am 55 pounds lighter, I am 41 yrs old and have almost no body fat. I did it all with disciple. I feel great. My problem is I just haven't been able to kick the carbs and go the super healthy route like you are doing, but it is a goal. Juicing goes against one of my rules, I don't drink calories because I don't find liquids filling, but no doubt the whole food / natural thing is the way to go. Thanks for inspiring me!

 

[kathyt]

Great post Kathy! You are a role model. I started my health kick about 6 years ago. My first step was getting my eating under control, I was a runner and my appetite got out of hand, I lightened up my exercise and started counting calories. 6 years later I am 55 pounds lighter, I am 41 yrs old and have almost no body fat. I did it all with disciple. I feel great. My problem is I just haven't been able to kick the carbs and go the super healthy route like you are doing, but it is a goal. Juicing goes against one of my rules, I don't drink calories because I don't find liquids filling, but no doubt the whole food / natural thing is the way to go. Thanks for inspiring me!

Thank you. I was very surprised with how filling my juice recipes are. When you say kick the carbs, which carbs are you referring to? Of course we still need carbs, but it is the kinds of carbs we eat that are important. Congrats on the 55 pounds. That is amazing. I started the Insanity workouts over a month ago at my local YMCA, and I also alternate that with toning/kickboxing classes. That has also really sent my body past its plateau.