The 80% Rule... In Action

Hey everyone!

You've heard my 80/80 rule (if not, check out "What Are the Rules" post), so my goal is to really watch what I'm using to fuel my body. If 80% of my weight loss journey is directly related to what I eat, by cleaning up my diet I can have a major impact on my weight and overall fitness and health!

The next conundrum: what does it mean to "clean up my diet" ?  What is "clean eating"?

Well, here's the shtick. Clean eating is easier said that done. Because so much of what we eat is processed, altered, treated with hormones, pesticides, herbicides, artificially sweetened, colored and, for lack of a better phrase, nutritionally bankrupt.

In our fast paced, express line, multi-tasking, tele-visa-phon-ernetting lives, how many of us really take the time to eat whole, real foods that aren't processed to the bejesus? I mean, sure, if I had a ton of money or a personal chef at my disposal, I know all the super yummy healthy recipes I'd make. But I live in the real world. The world where I grab something fast, hit the door and don't stop running all day. Where grabbing fast food after practices, a quick bite before volleyball, or something frozen and "light" becomes my best choice. Not really the best choice. 

I've been prompted by my pal and trainer, Ben (check out his site!), to read labels. How many chemicals are in the food I eat every day. How much sucralose or aspartame? How many artificial colors and chemicals?  Ya, if I can't pronounce half of what's on the label, I shouldn't be eating it. Sure, it's sugar free... but what IS inside it that makes it taste sweet is a chemical that your body can't handle. Steroids and antibiotics in our meat and dairy products is another issue. How about pesticides and herbicides on my veggies? How processed is the grain and breads we eat - bleached and devoid of the good things our body needs?

AAARRRGGHHH! What is it that I'm supposed to eat?!

So, for the first 30 days of my "whole life", I'm following the advice of my trainer and taking part in the Isagenix 30 Day Cleanse.  Basically, it's a meal replacement system, made up of the cleanest, organic building blocks and natural ingredients that you can get in a protein shake. It also incorporates fasting one day each week.  I've stocked up on the ingredients to make a healthy meal each day (organic spinach, broccoli slaw, carrots, crasins, salmon and boneless/skinless chicken), veggies + hummus, and organically grown fruits for clean snacks, and I spent Sunday evening washing, chopping and prepackaging my work week meals.  I have a shake for breakfast, a 400-600 calorie, protein rich, clean lunch, and a shake for dinner. I get snacks in between too - clean is the rule. 

Preparation is the key to my success. If I fail to plan, I will fail to succeed.

Today was Day One. I feel great. It was a busy day, I had to remind myself to eat (I wasn't really hungry at all), and the shakes taste pretty good. My salmon salad for lunch was amazing, despite my old salad rule. (Old Jen's Rule: Salads go next to your lunch, they can't BE your lunch.) Dang it. I'm going to have to amend that rule.

I think in the long term, I'd like to try and eat as much "real food" as possible, saving shakes and the like for the crazy busy running around days as a healthy and clean alternative. But for now... I've got 29 days to go.  This is going to be a great jump start to a new way of thinking about food.

But I haven't forgotten about the second 80 in my 80/80 rule. While I'm going to do everything in my power to stay true to this 30 days cleanse, I know that on day 31, there may be a brownie on the menu. Or pizza. Or a vodka cranberry with a lime wedge. Let's face it, I'm human and I love to eat/drink. But if I can stick to my clean plan 80% of the time, I should be so far ahead of the curve that the line looks straight. 

Remember, clean eating is 80% - I hope to share what I've been doing about the other 20% soon - working out with both strength and cardio training. And who knew... it can be fun, too! I also want to share the benefits of rest and relaxation and overall heath through chiropractic care and regular check ups with your physician.  All components of my "whole life".  All things I can do to keep myself firing on all cylinders. 

Now, it's quiet in the house and I get 30 minutes to read before bed time. Making time for 'me time' is one of my favorite components of my "whole life". Now, where was I, oh yes, chapter 4....

<3 Jen

Are you making little changes to get closer to your "whole life" ? I'd love to hear about them! Leave comments!