It’s time for my monthly health goal update. If you are just joining me today, rather than making 654 new years resolutions in January, and failing every single one of them miserably, I decided to tackle one every month. I kicked off the month of January by giving up the nasty chemical filled coffee creamer. You can read why here. February’s goal was all about working out and drinking ALL OF THE WATER. I let you know each month how my previous goals have been working out for me and then add a new one.
Don’t they say that after three weeks of doing something, it becomes a habit? Well, that seems to be what’s going on. Because there are 28-31 days each month, that’s how long I focus on each change. By the end of the month, it is so much easier than it was in the beginning.
The first month coffee creamer sitch is still going strong. I haven’t had a drop of creamer to my coffee since I gave it up. I used Nutpods for a few weeks when I unexpectedly ran out. We happened to have some 1% milk in our fridge and I used that for a few weeks, and now I am 100% all black. I have actually developed a taste for black coffee that I never thought I could ever do. I think by weaning myself slowly off of the sugary creamer, it was easier for me. So a big pat on the back for me on January’s goal.
February brought lots and lots of water consuming and workouts. And, so far, that’s going great, too. I found an easy way for me to keep track of the water I am supposed to drink and it’s working. All of the water consumption has brought about a few changes that are worth mentioning. Along with finally getting used to it and not spending most of my day in the bathroom, I noticed I don’t have much bloating anymore. And, the regular puffiness under my eyes is gone. I drank ALL of my water every day but two days in February and that was because I ran errands half of the day and hate public restrooms. Oh… and the workouts are getting easier or I’m getting stronger. I actually don’t thing I am dying during them anymore. ????
Don’t think I’ve gone all cray on you. When people hear macros and intermittent fasting, they immediately think of the Keto diet…. and when I say “people”… I’m talking about myself, too. To tell you the truth, I don’t even have a clue what the Keto diet is. ???? All I know is what Gym Boy, our trainer, told us to eat. He gave us a calorie amount he wanted us to stay under and a percentage of fat vs protein vs carbs and called it macros and told us to down load an app to track it all. ???? Truly, I don’t want to be educated on a specific diet like Keto, because I don’t care all that much. All I know is what I personally am trying to accomplish with my diet and that is it.
We listened to Gym Boy and recently started entering some of our meals in our My Fitness Pal app, which breaks everything down for you. We realized we have been eating a diet VERY high in carbs. Because I followed a strict vegetarian lifestyle for nearly 18 years, it consisted of fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. While all of those foods are very healthy, they are full of carbs. With all of the working out we are doing, my body needed WAY more protein. Therefore, I decided to start adding meat back into my diet a few weeks ago. The main thing I noticed with that change was that I rarely need a snack between my meals and that I stay full way longer.
This month I will be focused on every single bite that goes into my pie hole. Yummy. I love pie. ???? Seeeeee how easy it is to get off track. Carbs are my favorite macro. LOL I love anything sweet and I love the sugar buzz I get from them. However, we will also be focusing on the proteins, carbs, and fats that we consume daily, by weighing and measuring everything. We picked up a food scale so we can be exact. I, also, found this most awesome meal planner which I want to start messing with. I would love to have an entire month’s worth of meals to refer back to. That would be a huge time saver.
Along with the tracking, I’ve heard so much about intermittent fasting and the success some people have had on it, so I’m adding this, also. Due to different circumstances and schedules, I think a 9am-5pm time schedule of eating and then fasting from 5pm-9am will work best for us. We will see how it all goes and I will for sure keep you posted on my progress next month.
I have talked to several of you who have started your own journey of focusing on one change a month. Let me know how you are doing in the comments below, or chat with me over on Facebook and Instagram. I love hearing from you!
Shop the Post
Are you in full garden mode yet? We sure are. Gardening and getting our porches…
Gardening is one of Deb and I's greatest passions these days. We not only love…
The planning has begun. Every year we have one major project that we plan around…
We have been feeling recently like we are so busy, but it seems like we…
I have been gluten free for years.. maybe 8-10. So we have had to be…
Another month has come and gone. Can you even believe it?! March went by so…
View Comments
Hi Danielle - I’ve been a vegetarian for about 5 years and toy with the idea of adding meat back into my diet - how did you do it and did you have any problems ?
I started with tuna.... and just add a few different ones each week. I have had no problems. I can tell you I feel soooo different. I walked around hungry all of the time compared to now.
Well, I started a Keto diet a week ago. So far it's been fine and way easier than I thought. Our buddy, a mid life girl, motivated me seeing her results and how happy she was. I thought to myself I want to look like her just once before I check out :)
Good luck with your diet, love following you guys and your antics!
Thank you so much! And, good luck with yours too. ????
I started intermittent fasting in January 7th, and have lost 19lbs. It's amazingly easy and doesn't cost anything. Please check out the books (also an awesome facebook private group) Delay Don't Deny, Obesity Code. Also, clean fast! That means black coffee, black or green tea, or water only.
Thank you so much! I sure will check those out. Way to go on your loss.
I really admire your tenacity in sticking with your goals, Danelle, and not killing yourself (except that boot camp you and Deb are doing!) by making all of these changes at once. I just wanted to mention two things that you might want to think about. I use packets of a lightly flavored powder called Drip Drops. It was recommended by my doctor. I add it to a regular bottle of water, or 12 ounces. It hydrates as effectively as an IV drip. I get the boxes in bulk from Amazon and usually add it to my water 2-3 times per day. If you are exercising or dehydrated from the summer heat, winter indoor dryness, or your workouts, you can do it every hour safely. I feel energized after I drink it. And its amazing when you are sick. Google it. Enough said!
Regarding Intermittent Fasting, I've been doing it for the past four months. I think it's insanely easy for me, a late sleeper and someone who simply can't eat until I'm up for a few hours. I usually eat between 11-7:00 p.m. If I'm hungry before bed I make a mug of beef bouillon. It does take time to adjust but I've lost 13 pounds and really feel like I have a good routine.
Keep up the good work, the same to Deb, and thanks for keeping us informed!
Jane
Thank you so much. I will sure look into that because when we got back on the machine a few weeks ago that measures our hydration, etc... he said we were still dehydrated but it may take awhile. Thanks for the information.
I’m so happy for you and all your health goals! My husband and I went low carb 9 years ago and lost a decent amount of weight. But boy, it wasn’t until we read and listened to Dr. Jason fung (all over you tube) and began real slow the fasting that all the rest of the weight fell off and has stayed off for over two years. It takes time and practice when one pushes for longer periods going without food but that’s ultimately what we had to do because our body needed more fasting time in order to become insulin sensitive. And we weren’t even pre diabetic! There is so much info all over the internet, but Dr. Fung runs a clinic in Canada and has helped thousands with fasting so he’s the one with the experience I trust the most. He basically helps type 2 diabetics become healed using fasting and meal timing. When I began my journey I was a 14/16, I am now a 6/8. I will never go back.
Dy Ann Parham
Is a great instagrammer/vlogger to follow for intermittent fasting for over 50s. Keeps it real and very informative. I dabble but have to commit.
Good luck.
Sandi
Thank you. I will check her out!
I started Intermittent Fasting in May and have lost over 30 pounds. It is so easy for me for I am not a morning person but a big glass of ice water fills the bill. After all these YEARS of dieting, I will never go back. I love love love it as it is a way of life for me. I eat dinner every night of what I want...whatever I want. THis seems too easy but the weight is still falling off .AND I have never felt healthier in all my 66 years!! Just thought I would share since there has been every diet in the world I have tried...and this works!
Blessings on your journey.
I love how organized and committed you are to this process. I cannot for the life of me plan meals. I've tried. But, I'll get to next Tuesday, and think NOPE. LOL! As for the carb thing, I don't think carbs from fruits and vegetables is bad. Complex carbs. Prob have to watch the "sugary" fruits, and stick mostly to berries. It would be nice if My Fitness Pal would track complex vs. simple carbs separately.
I have a friend who has been successful doing the intermittent fasting. He's prob lost @50 pounds. He's a young man though. I really think our age, hormone balance (imbalance) has a lot to do with our success.
Wishing you luck. Thanks for bringing us along on your journey!
I started intermittent fasting at the beginning of the year and I feel great! I also went back to a plant based diet so that is probably part of that. I know that is not how most people have chosen to eat but its how I feel at my most healthiest. I feel more energetic and am never hungry with the fasting. Good luck!!
Good for you and thank you. I feel fabulous. I did start something different that I will soon be talking about.