Inspiration | All Things Gwen

Posts Tagged ‘Inspiration’

Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

March 9, 2011

It’s all how you look at it.

I was chatting with my friend Shaun about eating better and getting in shape, telling him about Four Hour Body, some things I typically eat, and how it’s really worked for me. We were sharing healthy lifestyle ideas and he was telling me that every morning, he journals and drinks a bottle of water. He got the idea from someone else, but he was saying how it really helps him re-hydrate his body after sleep and clears his mind. I liked the idea, and for the past four days have been drinking a big glass as soon as I wake up. I’m happy I started and am getting hooked on this healthy habit.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the small act of drinking water in the morning can be symbolic of starting your day right — “glass full” with a clear, open mind, ready for opportunity. Try it! Make it a time to be grateful, to tell yourself what you’re going to accomplish for the day or remind yourself of your goals. It’s much deserved and worthwhile time for yourself.

What are some of your healthy, daily rituals?
What are some of your healthy, daily rituals that you’ve picked up from some one else?

Photo by kleinman.

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No Scale, “New” Clothes

March 3, 2011

Me and Dee Dee (left) in July 2009.

Day 16 on Four Hour Body

Quick updates … and then the inspirational stuff …
1. My mood is still fantastic. Very happy.
2. I was worried that my meals would be boring or regimented, but it’s great. I like being creative with recipes and finding new things to try. Glad I didn’t have to give up cooking and experimenting in the kitchen — that’s one of my favorite things ever!
3. Trying to get hubs to eat better. Sometimes I still have to make him pasta with dinner, but I won’t even taste test the pasta to see if it’s al dente/cooked. That’s his job. Go me!
4. My will power is amazing. Tonight I picked up a pizza for hubs — as a surprise for after his class and as a treat since I’m not cooking glorious (pasta) meals anymore. I made myself two chicken burgers from Trader Joe’s. They were good! Next time, I’ll make a big portabello mushroom to go with it. I know I should have eaten some veggies, but I’ll likely eat more later.
5. I haven’t weighed myself. I probably will tomorrow. I don’t want to get too dependent on the scale. I’d like to judge how I feel instead.
6. I’ve been feeling thin!
7. My left knee and right shoulder are killing me. I was supposed to keep up my running program, but I’m going to play it smart and listen to the pain. I’m going to do my rehab exercises for both and take it easy.
8. My cheat day is Saturday, and I’ve had two so far. Both times, I’ve felt horrible — like sugar shock, carb overload. My energy was up, down and crazy. The next morning was feeling sluggish, but I was excited and ready to get back to the routine. This just reinforces me wanted to stay away from junk!
9. Ordered The Paleo Diet for Athletes: A Nutritional Formula for Peak Athletic Performance. I liked the idea of eating like the hunter gathers did. I am thinking of transitioning into this lifestyle after Four Hour Body. You can eat fruit!
10. I really have to go through my Clean Eating cookbooks.
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Feeling Young and Fresh

February 23, 2011

With my brother. We're young and fresh!

Day 8 on Four Hour Body and down six pounds!

First off, I am so amazed at the positive feedback. So many people tell me that they can relate to my battle against emotional eating and they say I’ve inspired them.

I feel amazing. My attitude and mood have been positive all day long. I find myself really wanting to write (which I love to do) and my head is really clear. Not only have I lost weight, my friends (well, friend – singular) and I can see the difference. Spent some time today with my girl friend Amanda – she hasn’t seen me in a few weeks. She says she sees the difference in my face, my legs and belly. She says my skin is glowing and I look young and fresh. I’ve begun to see that too. I FEEL young and fresh too! Funny thing is that she’s known me for years and says that if I can do this diet/lifestyle change than she can — meaning she knows how crappy I used to eat and how I’ve never been disciplined ever. Heee heee!

Sample Meals
People have asked me for some sample meals and I am happy to share some of my favorite recipes. They’re coming soon, I promise. Here’s what I ate today to give you ideas:

MEAL 1, 7:30 am – One egg, two egg whites topped with two tablespoons of organic salsa and a black bean mix I made – sautéed garlic and onions with diced red peppers, mushrooms and black beans. (Goya Black Beans – drained and rinsed.)
MEAL 2, 11:30 am – One egg white (from a hard-boiled egg).
MEAL 2.1, 12:00 pm Belated Birthday Lunch out with co-workers at Pizzacato. I had the “Mixed Greens” salad. It was mixed greens with roasted red peppers, balsamic onions, grilled chicken with roasted garlic vinaigrette on the side. Told them to leave off the Gorganzola cheese. It was really yummy and barely used the dressing because I didn’t really need. it. The peppers and onions gave the salad a lot of flavor.
MEAL 3, 3:30 pm – Some chicken and a bit of baked eggplant and baked zucchini.
MEAL 4, 7:30 pm - Taco salad – lean ground meat, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, black beans (drained and rinsed), a smidgie of corn and my new bff, organic salsa. Wasn’t sure about the corn, but I also made a recipe from the Four Hour Body cookbook for Chicken Tortilla Soup and it called for corn. (Soup is for tomorrow.)

See? Good food! Full all day and not feeling starved. My energy and mood was stable all day, no sugar highs and lows. LOVE IT.
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