After 28 days

Its done. I'm finished.

Lessons learned from this:

-I can go without meat, dairy, oils, processed foods period

-This is not JUST a detox/diet. Its a lifestyle change that works wonders.

-Cooking properly for yourself has so many rewards.

-To my amazement I have will power, not as much as I would like, but I have it.

-Feeling my best should be top priority. All the time

-Disciplining yourself can change your outlook on life

-Having people around that are just as excited about what you're doing , if not more, keeps you motivated and definitely fuels you.

-I have and should be proud of my accomplishments...


I will probably keep this diet to some extent. Maybe adding oil and cheese every
now and again. From now on I'll be aware of my eating, without being excessively strict. I like having the energy and feeling good. Maintaining is whats important now.

Final Stretch...

I seriously can't wait to eat tater tots. I know people are sick of me talking about and I don't care ;-P

2 days now!

Current Status: I feel incredible! I could run a marathon literally if I wanted to right now. (I have no desire to do such a thing, but you get the point)
I find it really funny that this diet/detox was mostly common sense. Of course you will feel like crap and heavy if you eat lots of dairy. Of course removing unnatural things from your diet will give you the energy that you want and need.

I'm sleeping better (when I'm not fighting sleep to stay up). I am seriously getting up before my alarm. I do some stretching and meditating and I'm off.
I am now a full believer in cooking for yourself.
By controlling what you're putting into your body, you minimize the toxin and bad crap that you come in contact with. This all sounds cheesy and "ummm yeah that's a given", but its so true.

When I started down this path a little over a year ago, I had no real plans to do diets or drastically change myself. I just wanted to feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. I am genuinely happy with my progress. This sounds really crazy but I'm really liking the person that I'm slowly becoming.

-dfo

Not Quite a Failure...Day 18

So this weekend was definitely a test. I'm not too disappointed in myself, but I did have a shot of jack, a slice o' bacon, a bran muffin that I'm pretty sure had eggs, and a sandwich that was on non 100% whole wheat bread with some cheese.

What I lost in discipline, I gained in perspective. I feel like it was important for me to cheat a little. When I get to the end of this hilarious process I won't pig out to the point of being sick. I am thankful for Eliz making me some of my favorite oatmeal with apples/cinnamon sticks within my parameters of the detox AND coming up with a brown rice porridge that I think I can eat everyday because its soooo good.

I still have my energy and am ready to get strict again this week. I'm going to check out Xport fitness with the FREE trial...I love free things.

I'm going to set up (meaning email like crazy) some phone interviews with some home stay families that are looking to host crazy Americans in Seoul and Tokyo. Wish me luck!

I am slowly checking off things on my whitewash board. My action plan steps are taking longer than I'd like, but slow motion is better than no motion.
I also think I'm being more proactive and reasonable about the task at hand.

That's all for now...

-D

Power'd Up!

I can't articulate very well how I feel, but Ms. Aguilera sort of explains it here...
(imagine me punching the air or something)

...'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter...

Not really sure whom I'm thanking, but the energy from this song seemed most appropriate for expressing how great I feel.

Its day 13!! I got up this morning, excuse me, popped out of bed w/o an alarm at 5am.
Did Jillian Micheals 30 day Shed DVD, ate some fruit, got ready for work.

I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH ENERGY IN THE AM... IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

Progress thus far with detox/diet...

I've lost 6lbs, found the so called "energy" on day 12, have gained a new respect for my friends and how/why they put up with me and my absurdness. (i.e. delicious special dinners being cooked for me in the name of my diet)

I've surprisingly not gotten sick of the food yet. Mainly because there are so many options and alternatives. People don't realize the combinations of things that really work well together. I'm down to drinking half a cup of coffee and lots of herbal teas. HUGE FEAT OF STRENGTH!

My challenge will be this weekend since I'm going out of town. I'd like to call it "DETOX: HITS THE ROAD". I must convince Eliz and Nat Cat that veggies are our friends...It won't be too hard. Eliz likes to brag about her hummus (which she should) and random healthy creative meals she puts together.
No drinking still...I can do this asa meshi mae (piece of cake)!

I can't thank the folks enough that are encouraging me on this hilarious, yet rewarding (I swear I'm not being sarcastic) venture I've decided to take on. I'm terribly spoiled by my friends and loved ones. I'm always being humored in some way or fashion.

So thank you, thank you, thank you!


I'm not one to promote diets and crap, and I won't push this either.
Like they (who ever the hell they are) say "I can show you better, then I can tell ya"

Watch me!


-Dfo

*please enjoy the ridiculous pic

Day 6...is rough

I'm pretty sure that the weather is making me feel miserable and not this detox thing. No complaining now, because I usually have a migraine at this point.I'm not a fan of being crabby, but I definitely was today. I don't care what anyone says, kicking coffee has to be along the lines of quitting crack. I'm drinking it once a day either straight or with ricemilk when I do drink it. I drank lots of tea today though. I do enjoy the fact there is an office tea time since I make large pots throughout the day. Someone mentioned crumpets with the tea. I laughed and said "If I can figure how to make it on this detox, most certainly". Offices are dangerous breeding ground for absurdness.

I don't have much of an appetite, but I am eating. I've strangely lost 3 lbs. Not sure if that's the 2 hour workout sessions or this "clean" eating. Its only been 6 days.My next order of fruits and veggies will have lots of leafy greens in it. I'm looking for to getting my cooking mojo back. I've quickly grown accustom to prepackaged meals and snacks. Thinking creatively and ahead.

22 days to go. I think I will really want either eggs or string cheese by the 10th or 15th day. I know I could use a stiff drink after work, my goodness they drive me crazy.

On the moving front...

I spoke with Lando today, somehow caught him in between Kardashian takes or something. He's doing some networking for me. A few maybes in Seoul for job leads, and a few in the Korea countryside. I guess I'm willing to be in the countryside for a little while just to get my feet wet. Not shutting any doors or being close minded about any options.

That's all for now.

As for the pics...bottom one is from 2007 with Raquel, me by myself in the green is September 2009, and the on far left is Vikki and I in November 2009. I see a small
difference, but not much. I look more moisturized if anything hahahhaha.

later

Day 1...

I'm not sure how I feel about the look of this blog, but its a work in progress.
It keeps me coming back to "fix it" and post, so I guess that's what I wanted.

My first day of the Engine2 "Diet" (I will call it a cleanse from this point on) seemed harmless. I find that when I have to write down what I eat, its easier not to eat hahahahaha. Completely absurd and totally misses the point of eating right, I know. I am sore from 90 min boot camp that I've found and insist on punishing myself with. The real pain comes tomorrow...Hot Yoga save me!

Ok thats all I got for now. I will work on being more insightful next post.

Please enjoy the random photo I don't recall taking NYE...

Dfo