Cleansed

So I did it. I survived. I am cleansed. Hallelujah!

A bit of overkill? Perhaps. But for me it's a big deal. I don't think I've ever gone this long without at least some junk food passing these lips. This week I ate only fruits and vegetables, water, and later in the week lean beef. No refined sugar. No bread. No dairy.

It was a long week, I will confess. I really wanted to cheat. I missed my bread and cheese desperately. I really wanted to support the Miracle Network by buying a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. And when I had to bring dessert to a BBQ, I really wanted to try out the Whoopie Pies with yummy marshmallow filling. But I didn't. I stuck to the diet exactly and I lost 11 pounds in a week.

The big thing for me is that I know I can do it. I can cut out the crap food I've been sneaking when the kids go to bed and still survive. I've decided that I'm going to eat relatively well all week and leave the fun stuff for the weekends. Then I'm not feeling deprived but at the same time am not making a pig of myself.

It was a good experiment in discipline and I came out the other end feeling better and a little lighter. It's not sustainable long term (I need some carbs!) but it was a good place to build from. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bagel and peanut butter waiting for me.

Things She Should Know

I made a list of things Ben needed to know (see last post) so I guess it’s only fair to harp on Carmen too. So here is a list of 10 things I hope Carmen learns as she navigates the mine field that is growing up.

1)   You don’t always have to have the last word. Even if you’re thinking it in your head, it’s okay to let someone else end a conversation/argument.

2)   If you have to continually tug a skirt down or pulled the neckline of a top up, it’s clearly too small.

3)   Never pretend to be stupid. Be proud of how smart you are and never dumb yourself down for anyone.

4)   The internet is a public place. Don’t post a picture of yourself or post a comment that you wouldn’t proudly display to your grandparents.

5)   Girls can be mean. At some point you will probably be the victim of nasty girls. Don’t forget how it feels to be excluded and teased so you won’t do that to other people.

6)   Be sure you know how to change a tire and fill up the fluids in your car. You can’t always sweet talk someone else into doing it for you!

7)   Trust your gut. When something feels off it probably is. When you feel that, run like hell!

8)   Be true to yourself. Do what is right and follow your heart. It’ll take you far!

9)   Models in magazines have all been airbrushed to look like that. Don’t think they are the standard. Hell, THEY don’t even meet up to their own standard. Be healthy and proud of it!

10)  You can do anything you set your mind to. Don’t let anyone, especially YOU, stand in the way.