Detox Day 5

Today was a GREAT day, detox wise.  I don't really feel like I craved anything.  NOTHING.  The boys even baked homemade, chocolate chip cookies when they got home from school.  And while the smell was intoxicating, for sure...I was never tempted once to cheat and sample one!  So yay me!  I found it the easiest day yet to follow through on this crazy diet thing.  I wasn't hungry at any point, nor did I find myself lingering in the pantry and pining for things forbidden right now.  So it's a definite step in the right direction.  I feel really good.  No headaches...no problems with the lack of caffeine.  I am sleeping well at night...even with several wake ups to go pee in the night (which usually really mess with my sleep).  I feel really refreshed in the morning....at least, THIS morning I did (and Monday mornings aren't known for their refreshment factor around here!), and all in all I just feel...well....fine!  I lost, yet another pound, for a total of 6 now.  So that makes me happy, happy, happy!  I can't believe I've made it through a full five days with no cheats or problems.  I haven't even been terribly cranky or difficult...at least, not that I am aware of.  I think day two was quite a bit challenging.   Definitely the worst day for me thus far.  I hope it only continues to get better from here!  Today was definitely a good day and I am hoping for 16 more just as good, if not better ones!

Detox Day 4...2:00 p.m.

Well, it's day 4. And so far, so good.  I'm not really craving anything crazy.  I am still wishing for real food.  I'd LOVE a big juicy burger, a steak, some enchiladas, some chips and salsa, spaghetti, etc.  If it's not a fruit or vegetable...I'd LOVE to have it.  But I'm not desperate.  It's all good.  I'm really doing quite well.  And I'm REALLY surprised!  I didn't think I could do it.  I mean...I've done my three day diet in the past.  And nearly died every time.  I've actually only finished it ONCE.  But I've tried it often.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to really stick it out, but I am starting to think that I really might do it!  Granted...it's only day 4.   Still a LONG way to go!  But I really do think I might be able to do it.  I lost another pound...bringing the total to 5 thus far!  THAT makes me smile and very happy.  I'm more than a little curious as to just how long this wonderful shedding of a pound a day might last.  It can't possibly last the whole 21 days.  THAT would be nuts.  But I'm loving it while it lasts.  If I can get enough off, then it's definitely motivation to work hard and watch what I eat to KEEP it off!  I understand that I will feel SO much better when this is all done that I will PREFER to eat better and fresher and just feel so much better when I do.  We shall see.  I am not there yet.  I don't feel necessarily any more energetic.  But I am not nearly so tired or moody as I thought that I would be.  I feel fine.  I'm not hungry on this cleanse...and I really thought I would be.  I thought I would feel like I'm starving.  But that has NOT been a problem.  I am truly surprised.  And so, there is the update for day 4...it's all good!  If this is truly the worst day, as I am told it is, then I am home free on this cleanse journey!  Woo Hoo and Yee Ha!

Detox Day 3-P.M. update

Today was great and SO much easier than yesterday.  Not having a headache totally changes the game for me!  It was a super busy day...maybe that's why it was so much easier!  We started our day with a trip to Home Depot and then Lowe's.  We picked out a new paint color for the bathroom that Chris insisted needing texture.  And so, now that the bathroom has been textured...we have to finish it out with paint.  And so...off we went and are now midway through painting the bathroom.  The color?  A deep, deep purple color...it's called Tannin.  We both truly liked it and it is drying out a very rich and deep color that, thus far, I am happy with.  We'll see how it is tomorrow!  In addition to the paint project, we ripped all of the bushes out of the bed by the kitchen breakfast nook and replaced them with a flower garden.  I hated looking out at the green ball bushes.  I wanted something fresh and pretty there to see.  And it looks SO pretty!  Pictures to come!  THAT was a huge job.  When we had all of the flowers in place, we took a couple of the bushes that we pulled up and transplanted them to the front yard into the spot where Chris took out a huge bush right after we moved in here.  They filled in the gap PERFECTLY.  You would never know that they have not always been there.  In addition, there was a lot of weed wacking and edging and hedge trimming going on too.  It was a busy day for sure with LOTS accomplished!  And so, at the end of detox day 3, I am surviving.  And it wasn't a bad day at all.  I understand that tomorrow is the worst.  But it will be a busy day for us with church and all...so hopefully it won't be too bad.  And Mondays are ALWAYS busy in this house with the getting of kids off to school and what not.  Here's hoping for a smooth few days.  I'm feeling really good about it tonight.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.  Bring on day 4!  I'm ready!

Detox Day 3- A.M.

Well, it's Saturday.  Day 3 of the detox journey.  I woke up to beautiful sunshine after storms rolled through in the night.  And I am so excited to say that I am headache free!!!!  Which confirms for me that this is less of a caffeine problem and does indeed seem linnked to the weather.  I'm like a walking barometer.  I have to say that it was something I rarely dealt with in the desert.  I find it to be a bit annoying here in Texas because it seems there is almost ALWAYS some sort of weather happening.  I've had more headaches here than I can count.  Weird how weather can bring them on that way.  But there is none TODAY and my head feels glorious and I will shout some praises for that.  Being headache free and seeing sunshine in the skies gives me a whole new perspective and attitude for the day.  I'm not feeling quite as gloomy about it all like I was at bedtime last night.  AND...we have lots of projects to tackle today.  We've had workmen in the house for two days repairing our ceiling in the kitchen where we had that leak.  They still aren't done.  They will be back on Monday to paint it all.  But the holes are gone and it looks wonderful!  Anyway...not being able to get into my kitchen and family room and most importantly...my laundry room throws the life cycle off, more than a little bit for me.  PLUS...Chris and I were both sick this week.  I had two days flat on my back with the cold, and then another full day where I could not move because of my neck.  I was barely moving when the work began in the house.  And so...lots of catch up projects to take care of today.  Lots of areas to clean up and declutter.  Fun stuff. Also, we have to go and choose some paint and paint the little hallway half bath.  We had it textured while the workers were here because it drives Chris crazy.  It was a cheap thing to do...so long as we painted it ourselves when it was all said and done.  Now it's said and done...so we have to go get some paint!  Decisions, decisions!  And finally, I think there is some closet organizing on the horizon.   So I shall have plenty to keep me busy I imagine!  And being busy always helps!  So...at 8:30 a.m. on detox day 3...I'm feeling MUCH more positive!  Bring it on!  (oh...and total weight loss at this point is 4.2 pounds)

Detox Day 2

Today was not as fun...or as easy as yesterday.  Yesterday I just really thought it was a breeze.  Today I found it to be a bit more challenging.  Not horrible.  I lost 3 pounds.  So yay for that!  I'm very certain it's water weight as I had to get up and pee more times than I can count last night.  I've had a headache most of the day.  Of course...that could be WEATHER related...imagine that...Texas getting  weather.  There is a front hovering right now and that could be pumping up my headache.  Weather usually does bring on a headache for me (man...have I ever moved to the WRONG state?!).   OR...it could be the lack of caffeine.  Either way...head hurts.  And I am trying to be good and not take anything for it if I can help it.  But I must honestly report, that at 9:48 p.m. the headache sucks.  Everything else went well today.  My sweet friend Kyra spent all day with me.  And I appreciated and needed that.  I'm pretty sure I'm getting some cranky going on.  It's sweet of her to put up with me!  I choked down my two shakes and I found them to be a good bit more revolting today than I did yesterday.  YUCK!  Only 38 more of those to go!  And so...I survived day 2.  I don't think I am looking forward to day 3 and Kyra tells me that day 4 is the worst.  I may just have to sleep through Sunday!  She assures me that after that it all gets better.  I guess we'll see.  For now, I am just glad to have day 2 checked off!  One day at a time for sure on this one.  Only 19 more to go!

Journey Into Detox

I have decided to do a 21 day detox program.  My sweet doctor friend is a huge advocate of them and I have been paying close attention to what she says about these cleanses for months now.  There are tons of benefits and I've heard of a lot of patients having some really amazing benefits come from the process.  Granted...I don't have heart medication or high blood pressure or lots of other things that people are getting relief from...but  I do feel like sometimes the body could just use a good healthy overhaul.  A break from all the crap we tend to pour into it rather thoughtlessly on a day to day basis.  I'm told that it will improve PMS symptoms.  Now...I'm certain that she surely didn't mean to imply that I would EVER display any kind of moodiness or irritability or mean and nastiness around my cycle.  I mean...just look at how sweet I am!  Shoot... Chris and my kids will totally vouch for that.  Except for maybe that couple of days of the month.  But I'm nice-ish those days.  Well...maybe not so much.  I guess issuing a blanket statement of "aggravate me and die" isn't really being as sweet and lovely as I am capable of being.  It's nice that I WARN them that I'm not feeling very nice though...isn't it?  Anyway, I might be sweeter when it's all said and done.  And I SHOULD drop a few pounds.  And that right there needs no further explanation!  I could stand to drop a few pounds.  No arguing with that one!  Also..this cleanse should be good for this nasty persistent shoulder and neck problem I keep having.  Today, my doc friend asked me if I have had shingles.  Shingles?!  On my roof...yes.  My body....no.  However, she said that there is a definite pattern here and that it could be a possibility.  Interesting.  I'm all for ANYTHING that will make that constant lock up and pain go away!!!  I've been dealing with it for a solid couple of years now.  And so...today...the journey begins!  What does this journey involve?  Well...this first week I can have all of the fruits and vegetables I want.  Unlimited.  Of course...that's pretty much ALL I can have.  But hey...I won't go hungry.  After the first seven days I can add in A piece of chicken or A piece of fish each day and some rice I think.  There are also a bunch of supplements and a protein shake of some sort.  It should all be interesting.  Bring it on!  So far...so good.  I'ts day one.  I have had green tea and a banana so far.  I feel good about it.  I don't have a caffeine headache from not having coffee...yet.  And I'm not starving.  Though I am starting to think I need to get some grapes or strawberries to go with my banana.  Right now...on day one, hour two...I THINK I can do this!  We shall see!

As for sickness...Chris and I are still getting over it...but are both feeling much better.  Of course, in true Chris fashion...he refuses to rest and listen to his body.  He thinks the second he's able to get out of bed he can get right on back into the gym.  He does this nearly every single time and every single time has a day where he WAS feeling better, pushes himself too hard, does insane workouts at the gym WAY before he should, then totally hits the wall and comes crawling home from work midday and is in bed again...miserable.  If I've told him once I've told him a hundred times...but he refuses to listed to me!!!  He does like to learn things the hard way.  But we are both on the mend...for real.  My neck is still so totally locked up.  I will NEVER take that sinus stuff again!  I'm STILL paying for that little nap!  Eventually it will sort itself out.  I'm rather tired of the pinchy, burny, annoying pain.  I'm over it and ready to get some stuff done and I need my shoulder and neck to do it.  Grrrrrrrr.  Hopefully, the ice, the rest, the cleanse....will all bring this little episode to an end...once and for all!!!

On another note...it's report card day today.  It won't hurt one bit to start praying up Max Roberts.  I have a strange sense of peace about it all.  Of course...it's 10 a.m. and I haven't actually SEEN the report card.  I might be much less peaceful at 4:00 this afternoon.  LOL!  Hopefully the cleanse grumpies won't be kicking in too hard by then.  I hear the first three days are the hardest.  Only 12 hours left to get through of THIS day!  I am hopeful.

And so...there's the current update. We are cleaning...and cleansing....healing and happening here in the great state of Texas on this fine Thursday morning!

Sick...Day 2

What a wild ride this latest disease has been.  I spent all day in bed yesterday.  Never climbed out of my pj's.  I never just stay in bed all day.  But yesterday...I did.  This morning, at first, I thought I was feeling better.  Was excited to be able to breathe and that my teeth weren't hurting.  But after only a short few minutes, I realized that while my teeth weren't hurting...my stomach most certainly was.  As in, really REALLY hurting.  major pain.  Could not stand up straight kind of pain.  I managed to get Clara off to school, doubled over in pain...hobbling around the kitchen.  And the boys, thank goodness, took care of themselves.  And I quickly found myself back in bed, under the covers and trying to sleep off the pains.  At 10 a.m. I felt a bit better and took a night time sinus formula medication, hoping to open up my sinuses a bit and breathe easier.  It worked.  However....there is a reason why it's called a nighttime formula!  The rest of the day I was in a deep fog...sleeping through most of it.  Every couple of hours I would try to fight my way up and out of the darkness, only to have the waves reclaim me and pull me back down into the drifting sleepiness.  I'd wake up, drooling, and confused.  And with my neck hurting from being in an awkward position in too deep a sleep for way too long.  Tomorrow, I will be calling my dear sweet chiropractor friend and setting up an appointment for intervention.  It feels as if a giant took his arm and made a fist and just pounded my head straight down into my body....like a nail into wood.  I've iced it and drugged it and sat in the massage chair...and basically, it just hurts to have my head sitting there on my shoulders.  Most unpleasant.  But I can breathe...so at least there's that.  I am about to take yet another hit of this magical nighttime sinus formula and will gladly submit to the waves of sleep and easy breathing that seem to come with it.  And hopefully tomorrow, i will awake a whole new person.  Rested and able to breathe, able to move without pain, and ready to take on the rest of this week.  That's my hope anyway.  Two days of sickness is enough!  I have been nearly 100% disfunctional for the past 48 hours.  So here's hoping that Tuesday will be a fresh and new day for me....an end to this phase of congestion and coughing and stuffiness.  A new dawn and clarity!  Here's hoping!