I picked up a pork tenderloin earlier in the week with the hopes of firing up the Primo sometime and doing my first "smoke." It's been so windy that I've been hesitant firing up but today's the day!
The day definitely got ahead of me and I actually didn't even eat breakfast - I know, that's not good. When I finally did manage to eat, I had some left-over grilled chicken and brown rice.
Honestly, I don't really remember much between lunch and dinner because I was so stoked to smoke my first meal on the Primo. I found a (what looked to be a) good rub online and had to go to Kroger to pick up some of the spices. Mixed everything up, rubbed the pork down real nice, put it back in the fridge and let it sit for a few hours.
Got the Primo heated up to 300 on one side and had the firebox divider in so I could do the smoking on the other. Sliced up some veggies (broccoli, squash, jalepeno, red and green bell pepper, and an onion) and threw it on the direct side while the pork was on the indirect side. After about 20 minutes, I flipped the pork over just so both sides could be on the grate and get some grill marks.
I took the loin off when it hit 145 and immediately wrapped it in foil and let it get to 150. It was still too "rare" for the Mrs. so I actually had to put it back on the grill. Once it finally hit 155, I brought it back in and it was perfect. I think next time I may just do it over the direct side to see what happens.
Everything turned out great - we were all happy - but I am still super hungry. Guess I'm burning that fat off!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Day 6: The Hunger Rolls
Oh my word I have been so hungry this time around. I really, really think it has to do with the poor job I'm doing with the snacks. I know I am drinking tons of water so that's not an issue. I'm hoping, maybe, the hunger just means things are burning off. :-)
I had another early morning, so I was able to get the day started off like I should - Spark, Meal Shake, Catalyst and the probiotics. Those actually started on Day 4. I switched over to the pink lemonade Spark because Lori said we have too many open containers at the house and need to go through some...so, like any other good husband would do, I listened.
I WAS able to get a snack in this time - I had a chocolate AdvoBar before lunch. For lunch, I headed back to Ted's and had another salmon filet (this time the 9oz) along with some fresh green beans and broccoli - no butter or cheese again! I'm staying good!
For dinner, everyone was ready to eat and I didn't have anything ready to go on the grill so we made a family trip to Longhorn. I had a strawberry and grilled chicken salad. It was quite tasty. Still drinking tons of water, too.
Wrapped the night up with some Catalyst and those herbal cleanse tablets. One more day left before starting back on the fiber!
I had another early morning, so I was able to get the day started off like I should - Spark, Meal Shake, Catalyst and the probiotics. Those actually started on Day 4. I switched over to the pink lemonade Spark because Lori said we have too many open containers at the house and need to go through some...so, like any other good husband would do, I listened.
I WAS able to get a snack in this time - I had a chocolate AdvoBar before lunch. For lunch, I headed back to Ted's and had another salmon filet (this time the 9oz) along with some fresh green beans and broccoli - no butter or cheese again! I'm staying good!
For dinner, everyone was ready to eat and I didn't have anything ready to go on the grill so we made a family trip to Longhorn. I had a strawberry and grilled chicken salad. It was quite tasty. Still drinking tons of water, too.
Wrapped the night up with some Catalyst and those herbal cleanse tablets. One more day left before starting back on the fiber!
Day 5: Fell Off a Bit
Yeah, I admit...I fell off the wagon JUST a bit today. Nothing too bad though, I promise.
I think what happened is I failed to take my morning Spark. There really is something about how that gets your mind going in the right direction. BUT...I didn't. In fact, I didn't do anything I was supposed to this morning as it relates to the Challenge. YIKES!! However, when I got back from lunch, I did do my probiotics and Catalyst and Spark!
For lunch, this is where I slipped JUST a tad... I had some smoked turkey and creamed corn. I know, I know....NOT supposed to have creamy stuff and corn really isn't ideal but I caved. I went to Moonie's BBQ in Flowery Branch and for anyone who has ever been there, I'm pretty sure you'll understand why I did that. I will make up for it though - grilled chicken and spinach tonight for me along with LOTS of water!
Well, the plan was to have grilled chicken and spinach - I stuck to half of it. We had a mixer over in Monroe so I didn't get to eat until later....so swung by Chick-Fil-A on the way home and had a grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat and a fruit cup, topped off with a big ole glass of water. :-)
This time around, I'm finding it more difficult to snack. Not sure why - I have plenty of snack bars, nuts, fruit, etc. but I am definitely struggling with the snacking....and the exercising piece. Once I can get back in the right mindset on those, I know things will be revving!!!
I think what happened is I failed to take my morning Spark. There really is something about how that gets your mind going in the right direction. BUT...I didn't. In fact, I didn't do anything I was supposed to this morning as it relates to the Challenge. YIKES!! However, when I got back from lunch, I did do my probiotics and Catalyst and Spark!
For lunch, this is where I slipped JUST a tad... I had some smoked turkey and creamed corn. I know, I know....NOT supposed to have creamy stuff and corn really isn't ideal but I caved. I went to Moonie's BBQ in Flowery Branch and for anyone who has ever been there, I'm pretty sure you'll understand why I did that. I will make up for it though - grilled chicken and spinach tonight for me along with LOTS of water!
Well, the plan was to have grilled chicken and spinach - I stuck to half of it. We had a mixer over in Monroe so I didn't get to eat until later....so swung by Chick-Fil-A on the way home and had a grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat and a fruit cup, topped off with a big ole glass of water. :-)
This time around, I'm finding it more difficult to snack. Not sure why - I have plenty of snack bars, nuts, fruit, etc. but I am definitely struggling with the snacking....and the exercising piece. Once I can get back in the right mindset on those, I know things will be revving!!!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Day 4: Fiber Relief
Well, nothing really new to report on Day 4. I didn't have to do the fiber drink, which to some people, is almost as satisfying as that first taste of Spark. :-) To me though, I really don't mind it.
I had an early morning on-site meeting so I downed my Catalyst, Spark and Meal Shake and hit the road. When I got to the office, I down another 16oz of water and headed to the conference room. The meeting was one with the CIO and the other workstream leads for our project - about 20 people in the room and 5 or so via video. It was one of those meetings where you felt bad if you even thought you had to sneeze....so imagine how I felt when I had to do the potty dance for the last half hour of the meeting....yikes!!! I'm sure our friends in Israel who were watching on the telepresence screen were wondering why I couldn't sit still.....
After an hour or so, I was REALLY hungry. I don't really remember being this hungry on the prior Challenges so I'm really expecting to see some good results from an inches standpoint.
The meeting wrapped up and I took off to the restroom. Pretty sure if I'd been in that room 10 more seconds my eyes would have popped off my face!
I had to go back to the orthopedic for a follow-up on my shoulder and when that was over, I swung by Publix to pick up some spinach because I wanted something green for lunch. Headed to the house and heated up my left overs from the night before (chicken and brown rice), threw some spinach on the plate, and devoured it. Also had my Catalyst before that....
Mid-afternoon I had another Spark mixed with Rehydrate - I LOVE that combo - and had a VO2 Prime bar. For dinner, we grilled some pork chops, smoked some veggies, and boiled some fresh green beans with onions.
Prior to bed, 3 more Catalyst and a boatload of water....
I had an early morning on-site meeting so I downed my Catalyst, Spark and Meal Shake and hit the road. When I got to the office, I down another 16oz of water and headed to the conference room. The meeting was one with the CIO and the other workstream leads for our project - about 20 people in the room and 5 or so via video. It was one of those meetings where you felt bad if you even thought you had to sneeze....so imagine how I felt when I had to do the potty dance for the last half hour of the meeting....yikes!!! I'm sure our friends in Israel who were watching on the telepresence screen were wondering why I couldn't sit still.....
After an hour or so, I was REALLY hungry. I don't really remember being this hungry on the prior Challenges so I'm really expecting to see some good results from an inches standpoint.
The meeting wrapped up and I took off to the restroom. Pretty sure if I'd been in that room 10 more seconds my eyes would have popped off my face!
I had to go back to the orthopedic for a follow-up on my shoulder and when that was over, I swung by Publix to pick up some spinach because I wanted something green for lunch. Headed to the house and heated up my left overs from the night before (chicken and brown rice), threw some spinach on the plate, and devoured it. Also had my Catalyst before that....
Mid-afternoon I had another Spark mixed with Rehydrate - I LOVE that combo - and had a VO2 Prime bar. For dinner, we grilled some pork chops, smoked some veggies, and boiled some fresh green beans with onions.
Prior to bed, 3 more Catalyst and a boatload of water....
A Little Q&A
I've recently had quite a few people ask me various questions relative to the 24 Day Challenge so I will post those here in case others were curious:
1 - Q: Isn't it a special diet? A: No, not at all. In fact, there are quite a few people who incorporate the paleo diet while doing the Challenge. It's about choices. The plan teaches you HOW to eat better. It's. Not. A. Diet.
2 - Q: I'm already doing an exercise program so can I can do the Challenge or do I need to stop? A: You ABSOLUTELY can continue any exercise programs you're on. In fact, the more you exercise, the better your results will be.
3 - Q: Can I eat during the cleanse? A: YES! Five times a day! 3 meals and 2 snacks and LOTS of water. The added bonus is the Spark. :-)
The program is an overall wellness program designed to help teach you how to make a lifestyle change in food choices, portion control, and water intake. The benefits of inches shed and pounds lost is a wonderful side effect. There is a wonderful community of people who collaborate and share stories and cheer each other on.
There's a grocery list, cookbook, online virtual coach that gives you day-by-day guidance and best of all.... a coach you can call/text/email anytime with any questions. Yep, that would be me. :-)
1 - Q: Isn't it a special diet? A: No, not at all. In fact, there are quite a few people who incorporate the paleo diet while doing the Challenge. It's about choices. The plan teaches you HOW to eat better. It's. Not. A. Diet.
2 - Q: I'm already doing an exercise program so can I can do the Challenge or do I need to stop? A: You ABSOLUTELY can continue any exercise programs you're on. In fact, the more you exercise, the better your results will be.
3 - Q: Can I eat during the cleanse? A: YES! Five times a day! 3 meals and 2 snacks and LOTS of water. The added bonus is the Spark. :-)
The program is an overall wellness program designed to help teach you how to make a lifestyle change in food choices, portion control, and water intake. The benefits of inches shed and pounds lost is a wonderful side effect. There is a wonderful community of people who collaborate and share stories and cheer each other on.
There's a grocery list, cookbook, online virtual coach that gives you day-by-day guidance and best of all.... a coach you can call/text/email anytime with any questions. Yep, that would be me. :-)
So if you've been contemplating whether or not you should do it....don't let excuses get in your way. Let me help you! You can do this!!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Day 3: Get It!
I've heard people say that if you wake up hungry it's a good sign. Something about it means your body processed or digested everything like it should or something along those lines. Honestly, when I wake up hungry, that's NOT a good sign. Let me just be honest here. Is that cool? Do you mind if I just shoot straight from the hip here? Ok...good.
There are three things that really bring out the best...er worst...in me:
1) Being tired
2) Being hot
3) Being hungry
You put any of those combinations together and, well....it can be a little dicey. What exactly does 'dicey' mean by the way? I've heard it said a lot but really never thought to look it up...anyway, I think it fits the picture I'm trying to paint....but if not, just know it's not a good thing when those forces of evil are joined together.
So today I wake up - it's Day 3 - and I am supposed to start off with my fiber drink, Catalyst, Spark, and a Meal Shake. Well, for some reason when I got up this morning, I decided to NOT do any of those - probably had something to do with the fact I didn't get out of bed when I needed to so I was running a little behind...so I ended up getting Preston to school then got back home to take the first of what seems like 100 calls/day now. By the time 10 am rolled around, I hadn't had anything....so I chugged down my fiber drink and decided to go without the Spark this time (bad idea as I had gotten used to the taste WITH the Spark)...but I chugged it, took my Catalyst and then had my meal shake....
The day then got loose on me and the next thing I knew, it was almost 2:30 and I hadn't had lunch. I DID have a Spark earlier though so I was good to go! Anyway...I grilled (via the stove top) a piece of chicken and had another meal shake for lunch. Ohhhhh yeah. It was good! So good I decided to do it for dinner for everyone.
And that leads me to dinner....
I love to cook. I don't typically go by a recipe or anything...I just wing it. Especially when it comes to meat. That will change soon especially as I look to perfect the Primo and get some good ole brisket and such. But for tonight, I stuck with what I knew....and that was mixing and matching spices.
I started by heating the pan on medium-low with Tuscan Herb flavored olive oil. While that was heating, I took a few chicken breasts and sliced them into half inch thick strips. When the oil was good and hot, I placed the strips into the pan and listened to the sizzle and pop....oh that's such a good sound. Added a little sea salt, pepper, some cajun seasoning, and oregano....got it good and golden brown. Man oh man! Good stuff.
We even had whole grain brown rice and some black beans to go along with it. Granted, I should have had some veggies to really be fully "cleanse friendly" but I didn't. So I'll make up for that tomorrow.
I'm pretty hungry still...guess I'll keep munching on these "Planters Holiday Collection" nuts. About to pop some Catalyst then head to bed. Can't go to bed hungry because that will mean I won't sleep good which will lead to be tired AND hungry when I wake up and that just won't fly.....
There are three things that really bring out the best...er worst...in me:
1) Being tired
2) Being hot
3) Being hungry
You put any of those combinations together and, well....it can be a little dicey. What exactly does 'dicey' mean by the way? I've heard it said a lot but really never thought to look it up...anyway, I think it fits the picture I'm trying to paint....but if not, just know it's not a good thing when those forces of evil are joined together.
So today I wake up - it's Day 3 - and I am supposed to start off with my fiber drink, Catalyst, Spark, and a Meal Shake. Well, for some reason when I got up this morning, I decided to NOT do any of those - probably had something to do with the fact I didn't get out of bed when I needed to so I was running a little behind...so I ended up getting Preston to school then got back home to take the first of what seems like 100 calls/day now. By the time 10 am rolled around, I hadn't had anything....so I chugged down my fiber drink and decided to go without the Spark this time (bad idea as I had gotten used to the taste WITH the Spark)...but I chugged it, took my Catalyst and then had my meal shake....
The day then got loose on me and the next thing I knew, it was almost 2:30 and I hadn't had lunch. I DID have a Spark earlier though so I was good to go! Anyway...I grilled (via the stove top) a piece of chicken and had another meal shake for lunch. Ohhhhh yeah. It was good! So good I decided to do it for dinner for everyone.
And that leads me to dinner....
I love to cook. I don't typically go by a recipe or anything...I just wing it. Especially when it comes to meat. That will change soon especially as I look to perfect the Primo and get some good ole brisket and such. But for tonight, I stuck with what I knew....and that was mixing and matching spices.
I started by heating the pan on medium-low with Tuscan Herb flavored olive oil. While that was heating, I took a few chicken breasts and sliced them into half inch thick strips. When the oil was good and hot, I placed the strips into the pan and listened to the sizzle and pop....oh that's such a good sound. Added a little sea salt, pepper, some cajun seasoning, and oregano....got it good and golden brown. Man oh man! Good stuff.
We even had whole grain brown rice and some black beans to go along with it. Granted, I should have had some veggies to really be fully "cleanse friendly" but I didn't. So I'll make up for that tomorrow.
I'm pretty hungry still...guess I'll keep munching on these "Planters Holiday Collection" nuts. About to pop some Catalyst then head to bed. Can't go to bed hungry because that will mean I won't sleep good which will lead to be tired AND hungry when I wake up and that just won't fly.....
Monday, January 13, 2014
Day 2: Juices are Flowing
What good would a blog be if you didn't keep it real, right? I mean, if you're reading this you've either done a 24 DC, currently on one, or know enough about it to know the first part is a cleanse. And I'm on Day 2. Typically it takes 2-3 days to get all cylinders firing away, depending on how much water you're taking in. After all, if it's not coming out, it's not coming off. :-) And as you can see from the title, it's coming out!
Day 2 breakfast is the same as Day 1....Catalyst, fiber drink, Spark, Meal Shake for breakfast.... I ate a little earlier this morning so I was really hungry when it was time for lunch. I didn't get a chance to get a snack so still need to work on that.
For lunch, I met some friends at Ted's and had cedar plank salmon (BIG deal as I am not a fan of salmon...), green beans, and broccoli (without the butter and cheese) and water. I did have some of the half-sours (cucumbers in vinegar and something...)
Mid afternoon, I had a few more Catalyst and a VO2 Prime bar. I haven't been doing an afternoon Spark but I'm thinking I may have to go back to having one of those. Energy was a little down today - not sure if was the fact I was on calls most of the day or the weather or that I really killed it at PT earlier in the day. It wasn't like I was dragging or anything, just didn't quite have the pep like yesterday.
I had a few glasses (maybe 16oz or so) of fruit punch Rehydrate as I was needing a break from just plain water.
For dinner, I made it to a staple from my initial challenge - Chipotle. I had a chicken bowl with brown rice, black beans, pico, (little) medium salsa, and little scoop of guacamole. I ate all of it...and am still a little hungry. Going to go snack on some almonds in a minute and take 3 more Catalyst and....drum roll please....MORE water!
It's crazy how your body reacts to the water intake. I mean, the first time I did this Challenge, I definitely was not drinking nearly enough water, hence the fact I was peeing every 15 minutes...literally!! This time around, not nearly as bad. Now, I am still going pretty frequently, but it's good - it means I know I'm getting it in!
So, recap thus far:
Day 1 - felt really good, super increased energy, slept very well
Day 2 - a little tired, "things were moving well," a little bit hungrier
Signing off for now!
Day 2 breakfast is the same as Day 1....Catalyst, fiber drink, Spark, Meal Shake for breakfast.... I ate a little earlier this morning so I was really hungry when it was time for lunch. I didn't get a chance to get a snack so still need to work on that.
For lunch, I met some friends at Ted's and had cedar plank salmon (BIG deal as I am not a fan of salmon...), green beans, and broccoli (without the butter and cheese) and water. I did have some of the half-sours (cucumbers in vinegar and something...)
Mid afternoon, I had a few more Catalyst and a VO2 Prime bar. I haven't been doing an afternoon Spark but I'm thinking I may have to go back to having one of those. Energy was a little down today - not sure if was the fact I was on calls most of the day or the weather or that I really killed it at PT earlier in the day. It wasn't like I was dragging or anything, just didn't quite have the pep like yesterday.
I had a few glasses (maybe 16oz or so) of fruit punch Rehydrate as I was needing a break from just plain water.
For dinner, I made it to a staple from my initial challenge - Chipotle. I had a chicken bowl with brown rice, black beans, pico, (little) medium salsa, and little scoop of guacamole. I ate all of it...and am still a little hungry. Going to go snack on some almonds in a minute and take 3 more Catalyst and....drum roll please....MORE water!
It's crazy how your body reacts to the water intake. I mean, the first time I did this Challenge, I definitely was not drinking nearly enough water, hence the fact I was peeing every 15 minutes...literally!! This time around, not nearly as bad. Now, I am still going pretty frequently, but it's good - it means I know I'm getting it in!
So, recap thus far:
Day 1 - felt really good, super increased energy, slept very well
Day 2 - a little tired, "things were moving well," a little bit hungrier
Signing off for now!
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