Member Detox Blog- Day 7

DAY 7
So, I’m stumped. I haven’t had any terrible withdrawal symptoms, which is great, BUT I also haven’t experienced any sort of transformation at all. Last time, I suffered for a week and then, afterwards, I felt a million times better than I had in the previous months. It was a HUGE change. This time, I’ve got nuthin’. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. It’s only been a week. Maybe the big changes with this program come later. You think?

I’m still challenged on the hydration issue. It’s not like I’m drinking other things – other than herbal tea, I can’t drink anything anyways – I’m just not drinking. I’ve always been the type to have two glasses of water a day. And that’s it. Obviously way less than recommended, but for some reason, it’s a habit that is very tough to break. Argh. I’ll have to keep at it.

Also, I may have cheated by going to Chipotle. I couldn’t resist the white rice. Hoping that’s not too big of a stray.

MENU
Morning
Gluten-free oatmeal with banana and almonds

Snack
Apple

Lunch
Chipotle: salad with white rice, black beans, chicken and guacamole

Dinner
Spinach salad with cukes, red onion, salmon

Member Detox Blog- Day 6

DAY 6
Still plugging along. So far, so good. My biggest challenge is drinking enough water. I’ve never been very good at keeping myself hydrated, which is probably part of the reason I’m in such need of detox. So that is going to be my new focus.

MENU
Morning
Puffed rice cereal
Banana with peanut butter

Snack
Apple

Lunch
Brown rice tortilla with salmon, cukes, red onion and micro greens

Snack
Almonds
Banana

Dinner
Spoonful of white bean and tuna salad
Fish taco with guacamole, red onion and micro greens

Member Detox- Day 5

DAY 5
I am truly surprised by how much easier this detox is than I was expecting. (Famous last words?) I’ve been tired, true, but I haven’t experienced any dismal headaches and my cold has been bothering me more than anything else. Perhaps it’s because I’ve planned my meals out in advance, so I rarely find myself scrambling to find something to eat.

MENU
Morning
Hot buckwheat cereal with cinnamon and other spices

Snack
Apple

Lunch
Spinach with white bean and tuna salad
(I know it’s repetitive but I really like it)

Snack
Brown rice tortilla with guacamole

Dinner
Hummus-crusted baked chicken

Member Detox Blog- Day 4

DAY 4
I can’t tell if I’m tired from the cold or if I’m in withdrawal. But I feel weary. Definitely going to bed early tonight.

MENU
Morning
Gluten-free oatmeal with handful of walnuts

Snack
Apple

Lunch
Spinach with white bean and tuna salad

Dinner
Brown rice with Mulligatawny detox soup

5 Days Left- Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Personal Training at Richmond Balance

ONLY 5 days left to take advantage of the January PT Special!!! Buy 3 Sessions, Get 1 FREE now thru January 31st. Email bwebster@richmondbalance.com to set up personal training with Jennie, Thomas, Myron or Brandyn!

30 and 60 minute sessions available!

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OR

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Member Detox- Blog 3

DAY 3
I have a full-blown head cold but am reluctant to take drugs since I’m on detox. It’s no fun to be detoxing AND sick. The bright side of today was eating dinner with a friend who is also detoxing. Commiseration was in full force.

MENU
Morning
Gluten-free oatmeal with half banana and handful of walnuts

Lunch
Brown rice tortilla with hummus, spinach and cukes

Dinner
Brussel sprouts
Brown rice
White bean and tuna salad:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/white-bean-tuna-salad-recipe2/index.html
(I subbed kalamata olives for the tomatoes and dill for the basil and replaced half of the vinegar with the juice of one lemon – delish!)

Member Detox Blog- Day 2

DAY 2
Went out to dinner today, took precautions while ordering and still wound up with an illegal dinner – the fish I ordered was breaded, which was not as it was described on the menu. Bugger. Eating out is super hard on detox, so I will probably try to limit it as much as possible.

MENU
Morning
Gluten-free oatmeal with half banana and handful of walnuts

Lunch
Brown rice tortilla with salmon and guacamole and spinach

Dinner
Salad with oil & vinegar
Rockfish with olives, artichoke hearts, capers, olive oil and lemon
Brown rice
Sauteed veggies (cooked in olive oil)

Snack
Apple

Work with one of THE BEST PERSONAL TRAINERS in town at Richmond Balance!!!

January Special- Only 7 days left.....don't miss out!

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Offer good on 30 or 60 minute sessions.

Email bwebster@richmondbalance.com for details or to get started.

Check out our trainer's profiles at www.richmondbalance.com

Follow one of our members on her 28 day Detox Journey

As promised: One of Richmond Balance's members is doing her own 28 day detox challenge. Follow her on her journey....

Richmond Balance Detox Blog

DAY 1
Blech. That’s generally how I’ve felt lately. Too many holiday cocktails, too many bready appetizers, too many cups of cocoa during an early January ski trip. My digestive tract has not been feeling fully operational, and my poor skin is showing the results of all my bad eating habits. I am at least five pounds heavier than usual, but the constant bloating makes it seem like 10. Blech – in a nutshell.

So. Time for a change. Starting today, I am embarking on a 28-day detox. Unlike juice fasts and extreme detox plans, this detox involves eating real food, and plenty of it. But it also takes out all the common allergens and toxins, which amount to a pretty long list: no alcohol, no sugar, no caffeine, no red meat, no gluten, no dairy, no eggs, no soy, no oranges, no nightshade veggies (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers). What does that leave me with? Most veggies, most fruits, nuts and good fats, chicken, fish, turkey, lamb, buffalo, beans, lentils, quinoa, brown rice. I’m supposed to eat fresh, local and organic as much as possible.

I’ve done a similar elimination diet before, about four years ago while I was trying to determine if I had food allergies. I know what to expect: the withdrawal headaches, the moodiness, the achiness, the fatigue. Just because I know it’s coming doesn’t mean it won’t be painful, but at least I won’t think I’m dying, like last time. And, then after about seven days, the world will open up. More energy, flatter stomach, clearer head, fewer aches – that is why I’m doing this. It’s literally life changing.

The one difference this time is that I’ll be incorporating a supplemental powder described as “medical food that provides nutritional support for patients with inflammatory conditions.” My first elimination diet was done under the guidance of a holistic physician. This time I’m working with a nutritionist, Tina Shiver (www.tinashiver.com), who is wonderful and sympathetic. It’s nice to have someone to turn to for answers and support. She knows what I’m in for, and she doesn’t pretend that it’s a walk in the park.

The day-to-day life can be difficult. You really have to plan your meals ahead. Snacks are difficult – no cups of yogurt, no Clementine oranges, no bites of cheese. It can be frustrating when you’re hungry and don’t know where to turn. I think I lost a few pounds the first go-round just because I didn’t know what to eat, so I didn’t. This time, I aim to be smarter and better prepared.

So, we’ll see. I’ll be posting my daily menus and linking to recipes, just in case you’re interested in trying out some pure, healthy meals for yourself. I’m going to miss lattes, pizza and dark chocolate the most. But it’ll be worth it. Wish me luck!

MENU
Morning
Gluten-free oatmeal with half banana and handful of walnuts

Lunch
Gluten-free crackers with salmon and guacamole

Dinner
Brown rice with Mulligatawny detox soup: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2007/03/vegetarian-mulligatawny.html

Most of us have a routine when we go to the gym. I know I do. My cardio of choice is running. I turn on my ipod and have at it for the next 30-60 minutes. I sprint as fast as I can at random intervals (usually influenced by the current song playing) and then I use the free weights. This has been my routine and when I think of 'working out', this is what I think of. Time to switch it up. Most of us get in a rut with our workouts, but we usually think a rut is when we get bored. Not necessarily true, a rut can be when that workout stops working for your body. When that happens it's time to surprise your body and switch up your workout. For me, that means climbing on the elliptical. The elliptical is the bane of my workout existence. I would rather run for hours on end on the treadmill than spend 30 minutes on the elliptical and that is not an exaggeration. I feel awkward, clumsy, uncoordinated, bored, and uninspired on the elliptical. Elliptical devotees, do not hate me. I just can't bond with this piece of equipment. The point of my rambling is that even though you are perfectly happy with what you are doing in the gym, your body is most likely used to this and it is not achieving the desired results anymore. For me, I hop on the elliptical and do some plyometrics when I need a jumpstart. For you, it could be hopping on the treadmill for a run and using free weights instead of the machines. Switch it up a couple times this week and see if there is a difference. I might not like the elliptical but I love the results I get from using it after a few straight months of running.

RB Member decides to try the Master Cleanse Challenge- follow her progress on our blog!!!

I'm sure all of you remember the Master Cleanse Challenge.....after all it was only a couple weeks ago that Michelle and Brandyn started their journey. So for all of our loyal followers, the Master Cleanse Challenge is back!........one of Richmond Balance's members that followed our Cleanse has decided to try it out for herself and has agreed to blog about her progress. She has asked to remain anonymous but will be sending us daily reports to post.....how exciting! Please feel free to join us on her journey via the RB Blog, Twitter and Facebook and show your support. As always, we are not making any recommendations about this cleanse.....it was more of a personal challenge. Instead, we encourage you to pick your own challenge for 2011........test your strength, motivation and willpower and see where it takes you!!!

More details soon to follow.....

Congratulations 5lb Challenge Winners!!!

Thank you to all of our members that participated in The 5 Lb Challenge and congratulations to those of you who worked extra hard through the Holiday Season and lost your 5 lbs! You should be very proud of yourselves and hopefully your success gave you a great jump start to the New Year! You will receive a FREE month membership in February 2011. Keep up the great work and we look forward to your participation in future RB Challenges and Events!

~Richmond Balance Staff

How to Fight the Winter Blues

1.) One of the symptoms of winter blues is increased difficulty getting up in the morning, even after you've had a full night's sleep. Plugging a bright, fluorescent lamp into a timer and having it turn on 30 minutes before your alarm goes off will help simulate an artificial dawn.

2.) Maximize the number of hours you experience daylight. Wake up early, and lift the curtains or go outside as soon as you get out of bed.

3.) Use artificial light. Invest in a light box, which simulates the sun's natural rays, emitting 2,500 to 10,000 lux. They work by reducing the release of melatonin in the brain. For best results, use a light box daily, in the early morning, and for 30 minutes to two hours at a time. You can use the light box to effectively lengthen the day: use it before daylight, after the sun sets, or a combination of the two. In a pinch, using a tanning bed for 5 minutes also helps.

4.) Exercise. Did you know that one hour of aerobic exercise outside (even when it's cloudy) has the same therapeutic effects as 2.5 hours of light treatment indoors? This is because it raises serotonin levels, which tend to get low when you have the winter blues.

5.) Watch your cravings! When your serotonin levels are low, one of things your body tends to do is to crave food high in carbohydrates, especially high-sugar foods like junk food and soda, because they raise serotonin levels.

6.) Take a multivitamin containing vitamin D-3 daily. Vitamin D is created by the sun's rays on the skin, and therefore declines during the winter. A good multivitamin will also help incrrease energy levels.

7.) Take up a winter activity. Taking up an activity that can only be done in the winter is a good way to look forward to winter, rather than hating it. Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, winter hiking & cycling, ice skating, sledding, tubing, winter photography, playing/listening to music, winter nature observation, or astronomy, all are good ways to enjoy winter. Embrace winter, and it cannot be your enemy!

8.) Dress for the cold. Many people say they hate winter simply because they're cold all the time. If this applies to you, then re-examine your wardrobe and make sure you're appropriately dressed. Make sure your hands, feet and head are kept warm. Long underwear can also work warming wonders.

9.) Cozy up your home. Paint your walls with warm, vibrant colors. Change a sterile, white kitchen into a sunny, yellow retreat or transform a drab, beige living room into an inviting, verdant haven. Hang colorful artwork and toss around whimsical pillows. A few little touches can really help you cope with the winter blahs.

Suggestions taken from www.wikihow.com

Why not give Personal Training a try in 2011?

Have you found that your New Year's fitness resolutions aren't the easiest to stick to? Or maybe you're just not sure if you are doing the right things at the gym? Sometimes a little extra motivation is all you need.....setting that appointment, feeling that obligation, knowing that your workout is an effective one or just having someone to make the time go by faster. That's where we come in. Personal Trainers that is. Every single person can benefit from working with a personal trainer and most every single person can afford working with a personal trainer in one way or another. You can work one-on-one, in a small group setting (partner training or fit club) or in a larger setting where its all about working as a team (bootcamp). Either way, it is affordable and it might be just what you need to finally reach your goals. Right now at Richmond Balance we are offering a Buy 3 Get 1 FREE Special on Personal Training. This can be used for one-on-one or partner training. We offer Fit Club which is small group training that is $240 for 12 PT sessions and we are also getting ready to start our second session of Indoor Winter Bootcamp (6 weeks for just $120). Choose one of our affordable options and make those resolutions a reality in 2011!!!

OOPS

Well we're almost a week into the new year. How are those resolutions working out for you? If you're like me, you've already had a few slip-ups. Who hasn't? This is not a contest, it is an ongoing practice. I used to think that if I slipped up on my resolution, that it was over and I had lost, and everything would go downhill from there. So this year, if you wake up and cave in to the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit that is calling your name, do not let the rest of your day suffer because of a little morning indiscretion. Get back on track and keep going. Sometimes a little 'oops' makes you stronger the rest of the day. Today I ate half of a jumbo oatmeal raisin cookie. after I finished, I was horrified with myself and continued the rest of the day with fruits, veggies, and grilled chicken. Somehow my 'oops' improved my day because I didn't dare do the mindless munching I usually do while I'm cooking dinner. Now, please don't think that jumbo cookies and drive thru biscuits are going to be the secret key to losing weight, because it's not. I know some of you got really excited there for a second. The moral of tattling on myself was that just because you slipped up, you don't have to sabatoge the rest of the day. Resolve to not let go of resolve and someday soon we'll all get the hang of this thing.