10.06.2013

Clean 'til Christmas

Well, folks... it's about that time of year again.

You know, that time of year where you look in the mirror and think, "Holy shart on a shart-stick. Who is that? Where has the year gone? What have I been eating? When was the last time I worked out? What is that congregation of flub doing around my upper thighs?"


We're coming up on holiday-season, and you know what my body is saying?


"Hey, Kelsie. Eat the cookie. Let's store up some fat for the winter. It'll keep you nice and warm... you can hide it under lumpy sweaters and work it off once spring comes... Eh? Eh eh eh?"


My rebuttal?


"AW, HELL NAW."


And, true to form... I have a plan.



The Plan's Name: Clean 'til Christmas

The Plan's time: 8 weeks, and/or forever.


The Plan's Purpose:



  • to fend off excess "girth" between now and the holidays (and hopefully during and after, to boot).
  • to test something I've been curious about for a while: "Clean Eating."
  • to drive my family crazy (just kidding. No, but seriously).
  • to have something to obsess about now that my evenings are free.

The Plan's Rules:
  1. Eat clean (nice and simple. Read about it here).
  2. Exercise 5x/week. More specifically? Jillian Michaels "Ripped in 30" 4x/week (totally worth the $10), and one day of running, to train for a 5k I'm running in December (The Ugly Sweater Run!).
  3. Have a cheat meal (with dessert) once. a. week. I'm talking burgers n' fries, fish n' chips, fat n' carbs, CHEAT. MEAL. WITH A CAPITAL C (and a capital every other letter, too).

Simple, right? Three rules. ENDLESS opportunities for learning.

And here's how I'm going to track my progress:
  • The Omron Body Composition Monitor: Measures body fat percentage, body mass index, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, body age, and body weight. Before and after, nothing more, nothing less.
  • Pictures: Yikes, pictures. You know, because a picture is worth a thousand words. By this, I mean that I will be posting roughly two-thousand words worth of pictures (before aaaaand, you guessed it! After).
  • Measurements: I know... archaic, right? What is this, the friggin' stone ages? But, hey. I have a tape measure and some free time, so... why not?
  • FEELINGS: Yeah, I know, feelings... ew. But the whole reason for this upheaval is that I have been feeling, for lack of a better phrase, like a pile of day-old dog shart. Need I say more?

Disclaimer: I'm not perfect. I'm probably going to slip up. You know, when you're at your grandma's house and she bakes you cookies and brings you a plate and stares up at you with those sweet, crinkly eyes... what are you supposed to do?! Slap the tray away and run like the wind?! Nah. I'll have a bite or two and slip the rest to my brother (sorry 'bout it, bro).

I'll be posting recipes and progress updates (while hopefully not crying in the candy aisle of Costco... no promises).

If you want to join me, let me know (Shout-out to my girl Natalie! Woot woot!).

Friends, colleagues, arch enemies, acquaintances... 

LET'S DO THIS THING.

8 comments:

  1. I love you, but I won't be joining you. I'm closer to death than you are (by age) and I NEED a York peppermint patty mini DAILY.

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    1. Erica Baruth, you darn scoundrel!

      Baha just kidding. You could save up all your York peppermint patties for the end of the week and just eat like a handful of them as your cheat meal...

      Just kidding, I don't recommend that at all. A York a day keeps the doctor away, after all. :)

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  2. I would love to join you...Lord knows, I need to shed some pounds!! However, not sure if I can muster up the willpower and dedication necessary...will let you know if I change my mind though!!!

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    1. Just do as much as you can! Even simple things like drinking a gallon of water a day, or switching from soda to unsweetened tea will make a HUGE difference.

      And keep checking for quick, easy meal and dessert recipes as I go through this journey! I'm sure I'll have to get creative in the kitchen. :)

      Let me know if you change your mind or just want some other easy tips!

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  3. I'm slowly getting to the point of "all or nothing" it's so easy to let one slip up or cheat meal turn into weeks of eating out at any opportunity! We only eat out once a week, but this week that turned to twice. I'll be joining you on this, but my cheat meal will definitely be some fried oreos since fall fest is this week! No need to play catchup in March when you can look and feel good all year!

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    Replies
    1. Heck yeah, girl! I'm exactly the same way! Cheat meals sometimes spiral into cheat DAY and then into cheat WEEK... yikes. It'll feel nice to have a designated meal where I can eat absolutely whatever I want (read: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate). Let me know how things are going, and keep checking for recipes and updates! :)

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  4. I found out about this through my friend, Megan, on facebook and I'm excited to join all of you! I've been switching over to a whole foods diet and I enjoy the cooking- I find it to be very creative. That being said, every so often I loose my oomph, you know what I mean?! I think this will help me find the dedication I need to stick with it and exercise consistently:)

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    1. Yay Emily!! So exciting to hear you're joining us. I definitely know what you mean - the cooking is the most fun and creative part! I'm planning on posting my "go-to" meal and snack recipes as I go along, so be sure to sign up for the email updates so you get them. :) Let's do this!!!

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