A little bit of accountability goes a long way. This week I was more focused on making healthy choices than usual, since I’d declared my intentions to the internet and all. And it paid off, I saw some downward movement on the scale for the first time in a long while, and I felt better in general throughout the week.
Healthy Eats
I started off the week doing a bit of a re-set (I prefer this word over detox, but that’s sort of what it was I suppose). I had green smoothies for breakfast and lunch, and a leafy green salad with grilled chicken for dinner. No dairy (except for a wee bit of milk in my coffee that I just can’t quit), no added sugars and no booze. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was good in a small dose to set me back on track.
By midweek I was happy to spice it up… literally, with this buffalo chicken quinoa salad.
I highly recommend this recipe from Half Baked Harvest, which was spicy and crunchy and full of filling protein.
Other wins were more modest where I focused on making healthy choices over the gut-busting foods I really wanted. For example, one evening we went out for a beer at Bluejacket. Everyone around us was eating chicken wings. I feel like even if you don’t like chicken wings, the smell of them is enough to change your mind. It was difficult, but we chose “healthier” alternatives – a pickle pot and fried chickpeas. Are fried chickpeas healthy? Probably not, but it seemed like a win at the time.
Friday was the last Truckeroo at the fairgrounds in Navy Yard, so it was more or less mandatory that we attend. I really, really wanted to check out the Swizzler truck, which serves up grass-fed beef hot dogs topped with unmentionably good stuff. Instead, I opted for a quinoa bowl with chicken from Bonmi. I won’t lie, this one hurt a bit. It was good, but severely lacking in sauerkraut and mustard and fried bread and butter pickles.
A man next to us even commented that my healthy choice was making him feel guilty for going for a hot dog. It felt weird, as I am never one who is admired for healthy choices.
And lest you think I’ve totally turned over a new leaf, don’t be fooled. Saturday morning I found myself unable to live without a breakfast burrito the size of my face. Homemade, but still far from diet food.
Exercise
I actually went a little lighter on the exercise front this week. At first it was intentional, since I was eating much lighter and didn’t have my usual energy. Then the week got a bit hectic and I made excuses, but I still managed to squeeze in a tabata workout and an online barre class in addition to my usual walking.
Sunday turned out to be stunningly beautiful, so we went on a two-hour hike at Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve.
It was a nice easy to moderate hike on a gorgeous day, but we were a little bit bummed to discover the main overlook point was closed for restoration. While it was far from the most scenic route, we worked up a decent sweat and definitely worked out some stress in the process. Hiking is probably my favorite form of exercise, I just wish it was easier to go more often.
Whoa!! You had me with that pickle bowl and fried chick peas! Holy yum!!
I also would have said to go for the hot dog, with sauerkraut it’s great for your digestive system! 😉
I love sauerkraut, anything vinegary or fermented really (even better if it’s spicy). I have a huge jar at home and I put it on top of everything, haha.
Thanks for this series, Kacy and congrats on being so disciplined! It’s very motivating, even if it hasn’t translated into any action on my part yet…! That’s just pure laziness though, no excuses. The hike looks gorgeous.
Thanks Michelle! It’s been far from a perfect process for me either, but it’s nice to focus on it just a bit more and make little steps in the right direction instead of going after a complete lifestyle change all at once.
Hiking and healthy eating are two of my favorite things, with the caveat that the healthy food must also be delicious. 😉 From the pictures it looks like you pretty much nailed it! Any yea maybe friend chickpeas aren’t “super healthy” but they look delicious! Yum!
Those recipes look incredible! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Allison! I keep meaning to create a few recipes of my own, but Pinterest is an endless source of inspiration – so many recipes so little time 🙂
You did so well! And I prefer to use the term reset as well. Can’t stand detox!
I do really well with the healthy eating, until the weekend. There are always some more decadent eats sprinkled throughout!
The weekends are definitely harder for me also, but since we’ve been back there have also been a lot of weekday fun and celebrations which gets tricky. I’m sure I’ll miss it though in the winter when things calm down and everyone is hiding from the cold 🙂
I can’t part with food. So I still eat well most of the time. The only way I can think of staying healthy is to make sure I exercise at least 30 minutes a day to maintain my weight. Or when I feel like I’m getting bloated or gaining a little weight, I cut down on protein or carbs. I also try to make weekday meals ‘healthier’ and let loose during the weekends. Sometimes, my body can feel it when there’s too much rich food or meat, I WILL crave for a simply bowl of Chinese congee or exceptionally more stir fried greens in my meals.
That’s so true, there are time when my body just longs for a salad after several indulgent meals.
Looks like a nice weekend. So nice to see that you were able to enjoy the outdoors yesterday. We too enjoyed beautiful weather here in South Louisiana.
I don’t know if it’s the same there, but it was like someone flipped the Fall switch yesterday. I’m not entirely ready for it, but it did make for a beautiful day.
All looks delicious!
I’ve realized I’ve gained 6 lbs in 1 month in Africa so I’m on a healthy eating, exercising kick. Although it’s sooo hard once you’ve fallen off your routine.
PS It’s ok to sneak a little burrito, if it’s homemade (homemade = healthy in my book ) lol
It really is, it used to be big part of my life but now I feel like I’m reacquainting with an old friend (frenemy?). Slowly but surely 🙂
I can’t wait to go hiking again this fall! Very proud of your healthy achievements. Not going to lie, having the breastfeeding excuse to eat all the things is prettay sweet ?
I just had a little daydream of us all going on a hike, you with Leila in a baby bjorn (sp?) and me with Ashton in one 🙂 I’m not crazy at all though… XOXO!
Glad you chose the burrito on Saturday – sounds like you earned it! I agree, putting it out there and making yourself be accountable changes your mind set. Congrats on a good week!
It really does! And the positive feedback goes a long way too, so thank you!
I’m struggling 24/7 with the whole being healthy thing but let me just say that buffalo-quinoa concoction looks incredible. Thanks for motivating me to try being healthy! xx
It really was great, lots of good texture and loads of protein and fiber! Thanks for reading Elly!
You know what, it’s good to eat healthy but every once in a while, you gotta pig out! So high five on that homemade burrito – especially because you know exactly what went into it!
But label me envious. I adore burritos, but I’ve discovered that I gain 2 pounds the day after I eat wheat (and it takes 3 days to lose it!). So sadly, I rarely get them these days. But it’s a trade-off I’m happy to make; maintaining my weight is so much easier when I leave wheat out of the mix.
As for good wellness decisions, hubby and I went out for an early-bird dinner last night – the portions are smaller, the way they’re supposed to be. And we split a glass of wine because all we wanted was a taste.
Loved reading your post. It made me hungry. 😛
That’s a great idea! The automatic smaller portions would be a huge help for me!