Half-Way Habits

When you're following a pretty regimented eating plan, some of your "old" everyday eating habits can really start to shine bright. Let's say your husband gets home from work and makes a PB&J as an after-work snack and grabs a handful of barbecue potato chips. You go to grab a few chips off his plate...but no, that's right. You can't. Or rather, you shouldn't. Or perhaps 8pm rolls around, you've finished dinner and you're ready for a small but very necessary snack. Something like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup or a few spoonfuls of Haagen Daz. Nope! Can't go that route either. Dinner's over? So is your eating for the day. And lastly, as Sunday morning unfolds and triggers memories of Glazed & Infused donuts, you must stop and remember yet again that it's only Day 14. And this thing is not over.

This "thing" I'm talking about is the 30-day Isagenix fat burning and cleansing system. The system that is clearing up my skin, making me vibrant and alert every single day, and helping me move the scale. This "thing" that really isn't quite as bad as I make it sound. It's more of an alert system than anything. Friday night pizza, Saturday night wine, Sunday night brownies. All things of the past. I have become hyper aware of everything that goes into my mouth, why it's going there, what good it will do for me, how I will feel afterwards, etc. I have learned that keeping my diet to 1600 calories is a real challenge for me. Because I'm not the type who only eats when I'm hungry. I want to eat all. the. time.

The first week of this was a real treat (no pun intended). You know how sometimes you just feel healthy? Well, I felt it then. I was taking my vitamins and drinking a boatful of water and loading up on these adaptogenic herbs in my Ionix Supreme. I was energized and ready to take on the world. The weekend hit, which tempted me into one (and a half) glasses of organic red wine. And then Pinterest forced me to make these flourless, eggless, sugarless peanut butter cookies. Sounds gross, I know. But they got the job done. The second week I started to develop new habits. Out with the old ones of after-dinner snacks and Sunday night pizza and on to the new ones. Like preparing my meals less and skipping a glass of water here or there. Or counting a long walk with my dog as my workout for the day. Some may find these to be small slipups, and I agree, but they are a big deal to me. And I felt a little disappointed in myself for slipping up a tad. So on the eve of my third week, I am here to tell you that I am fully recommitted. I am back on track to not just being healthy, but getting that feeling of healthy back into my body. I went to the madness of Mariano's today and loaded up on everything I need for my next four dinners. I have fresh fruit and veggies on hand for snacks, a full supply of my IsaLean shakes and most importantly, the right mindset. I know exactly when and what I am doing for my workouts for the next 5 days. And I vow here and now to stick to it. No brownie, barbecue chip or donut can stand in my way. Sixteen more days and counting. And who knows? By the time Day 31 rolls around, I might not even be craving what I've been salivating over so far.

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Jenna Reddington

NASM-CPT, Certified Yoga Instructor, Pre- and Post-Natal, KBC Kettlebells

Elite Personal Trainer

West Loop Athletic Club