Living Beyond the Scale

Juice Journal- Halfway Point/The Shortest Blog Ever

Sat, 18 May 2013 02:01:31 -0400

This is all mental.

Happy Food Revolution Day! It’s up to us!

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:37:37 -0400

Happy Food Revolution Day! It’s up to us!

Juice Journal- Day Four!

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:26:50 -0400

Tonight, I was watching bits and pieces of the movie “Blade” with my sister. I finally turned to her and said, “What is going on?!” to which she replied, “I don’t know, it had just started when you BOUNCED IN THE ROOM LIKE DAMN TIGGER.”

I think her statement best describes how Day 4 was for me.

Boom! I feel so great today! I got through the Dark Age. Yay! Just like every book and documentary said, the first three days were the worst. Today was the day I actually felt totally full all day and I had so much energy! My skin is great, the shadows under my eyes are gone, and I feel light and healthy.

After tomorrow, I’ll be halfway done! Yay! I can do this. I’m excited to finish the 10 days. I want a salad! I just want to chew! Haha. The last 3 days have been insane. Day 2 may have been one of the worst days of my life haha. Day Four was my happy place- and cheers to it hopefully just being the beginning! Happy Juicing!

havethedriveforit: Green goddess pizza with broccoli stem...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:50:03 -0400

havethedriveforit:

Green goddess pizza with broccoli stem pesto…RECIPE

@AliciaRutledge, we MUST make this after the fast!

Juice Journal- Day 3!

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:58:03 -0400

Hallelujah, I made it past Day 2! Today was much better. My eyes look bright and so does my skin. I’m not hungry, but I am still craving solid food. I’m not asking much! Just Cheerios or something! I have to stay strong and know that it’s not hunger I’m experiencing, it’s probably just boredom with liquids. I know I’ll appreciate food so much more after this juice, and I’ll do well to eat clean! I have strange cravings- for things I don’t even usually eat! I’ve been wanting those butterfly crackers that used to come in the mixed crackers boxes at parties. I probably haven’t had one in YEARS! Do they even make those anymore? Anyway, today was so much better in the mental department! I’m finally experiencing not really being hungry, but I have this new super power where I can smell food from a mile away. It’s been great doing this with Alicia, and although I’m hating not eating solid food right now, I feel like this is going to be worth it. Today was the day I really started detoxing (if you know what I mean).

I’ll leave you with that, everyone! Keep it up and thanks for following along! Day 3…finished!

Juice Journal- The Infamous Day 2

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:43:36 -0400

In the documentary “Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead,” we witness one woman go through a 10 Day Juice Fast and follow her ups and downs throughout the process. If you’ve seen this documentary, you see how irritable she is the first few days and how snappy she gets in her confessional style videos. I was expecting the worst, but I actually haven’t felt any irritation or anger at all! This was offset, however, by something else: depression.

Now, there is a stigma still attached to the “D” word, but I’m here to tell all! I had random bouts of sadness today, and I mean SADNESS. There was almost a vacancy there, which can feel worse. I didn’t feel like myself. So, I started reading. I spent some time reading anything I could find on juicing. And you know what? Every single thing I found noted that a small percentage of people experience depression on Day 2. Well, that hit the nail on the head. Clearly susceptible, I am in that small statistic. The readings also stated, however, that the juicer enthusiast should push through because it will pass by Day 5 at the latest! “The first 3 days are the most difficult.” I have to keep pushing through.

When I felt that the sadness was overwhelming, I immediately told Alicia, my juice buddy, and talked to my boyfriend, Brian, who lives out on the East Coast (I’m in Southern California), and actually felt better just talking about what I was feeling. Then I went to Alicia’s to juice and we took a walk. I felt immensely better just being outside and being around her and having conversations with her and my boyfriend. I want to say that my depression became overwhelming because I was alone all day and I didn’t have work— I’m not used to “doing nothing,” so I think I became extremely aware of the lack of actual food that I would normally eat sans juice fast. I feel great now and I feel satisfied. We have been letting ourselves nibble on some of the fruit that we put into the juicer, and that’s helped, as well.

My skin feels great, but I feel like I look EXHAUSTED. I can’t wait for that to pass! These eye shadows are no joke! However, like I said, my skin feels really great. My urine looks healthy and normal. I’m down 3 pounds. I had to nap today to upkeep my energy level, but it should be up by Day 4 or 5! My body is just getting the yucky stuff out!

Day 2 definitely lived up to it’s reputation. But, I got through it. There were a couple moments where I asked myself if I could really do this! I know I can though. Now I have two additional friends who have started the fast as well!

If you’re a reader who’s fasting with me, or if you’re getting ready to embark on this juice journey, remember that you CAN do it. The body is an amazing thing. Day 2 is going to be difficult, but if I can do it, you can do it.

I look forward to keeping you posted on how Day 3 goes. Day 2…you were a challenge and I appreciate you…but I’m glad to see you go. Cheers! And Happy Juicing!

Juice!!!!!

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:37:30 -0400

Juice!!!!!

Juice Journal- Day One!

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:58:40 -0400

Hi, all!

Well, Day One is…done! I just got home from Alicia’s house (where I almost broke her juicer- sorry, @AliciaRutledge, that was my bad!). It took an hour and a half to prep our juices again for tomorrow, but that includes a quick break to feed Baby Justin, so I would say we got through it a little more quickly than Sunday night.

Today, I had my first juice at 9am, and then followed with the remaining three every four hours. One of my juices prompted an “Are you drinking poop?” comment from one of my 5th graders, but it tasted better than it looked. However, once the second one was down to it’s final half jar, I had to just chug it. I won’t be making that one again!

Each night, we will be making two juices so that we can drink Juice A, Juice B, Juice A, Juice B. Hopefully this will help with possible boredom! It seemed to work out today!

My energy is a little low today, as I expected from the first day. That isn’t saying much because I’m tired a lot anyway, which is a big reason I started this in the first place! There were random times throughout the day that I felt a little hungry, but I also noticed it was when I was bored. (Break times, etc) Coincidence? Probably not. But we will see! I did have a banana and a cube of watermelon at the times I felt very hungry. Surprisingly enough, I felt fine after that. I didn’t feel hungry until an hour and a half into my dance rehearsal. I don’t think I would have felt hungry had I not been dancing my little heart out. I will say though, I never felt deprived nor did I feel so hungry to the point of pain. The juice has SO much in it that it fills you! This can all be found in the documentary titled “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” on Netflix. It is wonderfully educating!

I went to the bathroom (#1 for now, don’t get grossed out- yet) literally more than I ever have in a single day before. I’m not kidding. Also, it was super clear. Oh, and long. Remember that scene in Austin Powers after he gets unfrozen? Yup, that was me. All. Day.

All in all, it wasn’t so bad. And I feel more confident that I can finish the ten days- at least! I’m going to bed feeling fresh faced and light. I will say- I couldn’t do this without Alicia. Not because she has a super awesome fancy juicer, but because we are constantly in contact. “How are you feeling?” “Are you hungry?” “Do you like this orange one?” “Bottoms up!” We took a walk today for 30 minutes and juiced together (while dancing to Britney- juicing should be fun, too) and it helps to know someone else is feeling what you’re feeling and will hold you accountable. I recommend a juice buddy! It’s hard to do alone!

I will check in tomorrow night! Tomorrow’s menu includes a watermelon, pineapple, and ginger juice as Juice A, as well as a lemon, spinach, apple, and cucumber juice for Juice B. Chia seeds may be added to the mix, too, once a day. Exciting! Can’t wait to share with you all. Happy Juicing!

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Mon, 13 May 2013 23:38:55 -0400

My gorgeous friend and publicist Alicia (@AliciaRutledge)...

Mon, 13 May 2013 01:40:44 -0400

My gorgeous friend and publicist Alicia (@AliciaRutledge) prepping our juices for tomorrow!! Tomorrow we begin a 10 Day Juicing Fast, inspired by the documentary “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.” I definitely recommend it! I can’t wait to detox my body and begin this healthy journey. It’s going to be difficult, but I know we can do it! I’ll be posting daily check ins with how I feel and how it’s tasting! I’ve already tried two different kinds and they are actually yummy! Yay! Happy Cleansing!

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Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:54:03 -0400

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Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:45:48 -0400

Hello Giggles

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:45:42 -0400

Hello Giggles:

An amazing article. Worth the read! Share!

“I would be described as a ‘curvy girl’ but campaigns like “Say No To Size Zero” just make me feel plain awkward. That’s still sizeist. Still nasty. And still discrimination- no matter how cutely you package it.”

I love ALL of you! No hatin’ here. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

My life.

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:30:17 -0400

My life.

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Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:41:51 -0400

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Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:49:26 -0400

For Those Who May Have Fallen Off Their Fitness Wagon in the Last Two Weeks (Ahem, ahem...me.)

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:59:31 -0400

If you keep up with my blog regularly, you know that I am all about structure.

I schedule when I’m going to eat. I schedule when I’m going to shower. I schedule when I’m going to finish that lesson plan and still get enough sleep for my 4am wake up call the next day. I schedule my client session for Job #2…3? (Who’s counting?) I schedule when I’m going to have that last banana. I have to! For myself, that’s how I get things done. It’s how I finish reports, it’s how I memorize my lines, it’s how I was able to shed 40 pounds. It’s also what fits in with my insane lifestyle.

But I’ll be the first to say that it feels as if “life” gets in the way sometimes.

Recently, I opened my show “Damn Yankees,” without taking any pauses from my “regular life.” Master Kid Wrangler (“The bell does not excuse you, I do!”, Gym Bunny (“Would you like me to show you our Group X room?”), and Private Coach (“5, 6, 7, 8!”) by day…Devilish Temptress by night. (Don’t worry, it’s just pretend.)

Wait, when am I supposed to work out?

Well, I, like many others, fell victim to my own pity party to myself. I was exhausted, running on 3 hours of sleep a night, and barely eating because I didn’t have the energy to make anything and didn’t want to eat fast food. Wake up, work all day, try to stay sane for the sake of the children, eat something small, drive the hour to the venue, makeup on, body warm, dance dance dance, sing sing sing, act act act, come home, peel the false lashes off, wash my face, brush my teeth, sleep. Repeat.

It’s no wonder my body didn’t have the energy to work out like I usually do. How can it when I’m not taking care of it? “Life got in the way.” Um, I’m sorry, what? Ixchel, this IS your life. Prolong it.

The few times in the last couple of weeks that I did run was…let’s just say, I was not in it to win it. Have you ever been running and you’re thinking, “Geez Louis, how long have I been running?” Then you look at your iPod and say, “Oh…I’m still on the first song? Well…alright then.” Then I ran on the beach. I’m pretty sure I looked like a 6 year old trying to run in a jolly jumper. Nope. Not in it to win it.

Today I woke up and realized that it had been THREE WEEKS since I even lifted a single weight. Three weeks! (Sorry to the guys who have to lift me in the show!)

What could I have done to prevent this? Well, I have to stop thinking I’m Super Woman. (I know, I know!) I think allowing myself some rest [maybe lowering my intensity during Tech Week (Hell Week is to Football what Tech Week is to Dancers)] could have done me some good. Taking more time for myself to relax even just for ten minutes? Give myself an extra five minutes of sleep in the morning? Pack my lunches the night before? All of these things, had I planned accordingly, could have helped. My body can’t do all the fascinating things it’s designed to do if I don’t take care of it and give it the proper fuel- sleep and nutrition. The same goes for you! It takes planning!

Today was the perfect day to get back on the wagon. Not because it’s Monday. Not because it’s a new month. Because it’s NOW. Now is the best time. Shi* happens. Don’t beat yourself up. Get back on track. I woke up today still tired from the last couple of weeks. Was it really exhaustion? Or was I just COMFORTABLE now with the lethargy my mind convinced my body I had? The second I got in the gym, headphones blaring with “Titanium,” I knew I was back and I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

Decide that wanting it is worth it. YOU are worth it. Just get up! Take a walk! Make a delicious healthy meal! Do some strength training! Something! You don’t have to jump right back into the deep end of the pool- just as long as you get in (metaphorically or literally). Aren’t you tired of starting over? So, don’t stop! I skipped a week and then all of a sudden, it was three weeks. Whoa! That happened quickly! Luckily, I’m dancing so much that I didn’t gain any weight, but what’s more important than the number is that I don’t FEEL as great as I usually do.

So, up, up, up! You can do it. Really. I know you care about your body. Isn’t that why you’re still reading? ;)

Happy Round 2 (or 3, or 4!), Happy Working, Happy Living. :)

My friend, Alicia, and I did this and every time he said that, I...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:47:09 -0400

My friend, Alicia, and I did this and every time he said that, I was like, “Yes!!!! Yes, I can!! You’re so right!!” between deathly gasps for air.

It’s like he’s magic.

Go go go!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:40:13 -0400

Lacing up my shoes and ready for my run. It’s been a hot minute since I ran outside. I’m so ready! Love you, California!

thoughtjoy: Most people never run far enough on their first...

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:17:47 -0500

thoughtjoy:

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.

— William James

LOVE.