Oh my goodness, can we talk about summer bloat? Is that even a real thing?! Because if not, it should be. I didn't eat like a complete asshole ALL summer but I had my fair share of fun...and yeah, I felt the aftermath of it.
I got together with a group of ladies from my challenge group and we all 4 did the Refresh together! It is a 3 day cleanse (no, not a liquid diet) to get your body over a plateau, lose a few pounds or to kick some bad habits you may have picked up (like ice cream and beer?)...
I remember the first time I did it, I was SCARED shitless. No meat for 3 days?! 5 small meals...how would I survive?! So we kept pushing it off and pushing it off....AND we ended up doing it during the weekend when we were bored and watching Food Network all weekend, I don't suggest that. ;) But by day 2 I was feeling less bloated and had way more energy. The past 2 times I have done this, day 2 has always been the day where I feel hungrier but oddly enough this time, day 1 was my hardest! After I got past day 1, the rest was much easier!
Also, as usual, I get hungry around bedtime but I take a sip of water or two, brush it off and go to bed!
My days look like this (and yes, I keep the same schedule all 3 days):
7:00-7:15am - Wakeup (no workout during the refresh) & drink 8-10 oz of water to get things going!
8:00am: Breakfast, Shakeology w/ 10oz of water + a banana (blended in is my choice).
9:15am: Morning Green Tea, 8oz
10:45am: Mid Morning Fiber Sweep (no, I swear you don't run to the bathroom or shit yourself)...I will say however, if you are like me and have texture issues, this one needs to be COLD, so lots of ice and drink it through a straw quickly. :) It tends to thicken if you let it sit, so it is to be drank immediately. Some people like the taste, texture, etc. but I almost threw up the first time because I didn't make it right for my taste buds. ;) Don't be scared though, it isn't that bad, especially if I have done this 3x now!
12:15pm-1:00pm: Lunch, I had tomatoes w/ smashed avocado on them. I do make my lunch last around 30-45 min, I spread it out and eat slowly. Around 12:30, I will have my apple. Then right at 1 or so, I drink my Vanilla Refresh which is a really tasty high protein shake!
3:00pm-ish: Afternoon snack of carrots + peanut butter (supposed to be almond butter but my son is allergic so I don't keep it in the house)...
4:15pm: I have a raspberry herbal tea (optional)
6:00pm: Dinner!!! The best stir fry ever (recipe below). Then around 6:30 or 6:45 I have my Vanilla Refresh again.
Go to bed, wake up, repeat for 3 days!
You will feel more energized, have less bloat, hopefully kicked a bad habit or too PLUS the scale will be down, which is never something I get mad about...
I am down 2.9lbs and 2.5 inches this time around!
My after pictures are subpar though because I tried to do them myself at 5:30am with my phone on a tripod and my phone was totally crooked so I look crooked....yeah, that didn't work out so good!
Veggie Stir Fry (1 Serving)
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1/2 cup fresh green beans
1/2 cup fresh sliced carrots
1/2 cup fresh sliced red bell pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp organic veggie broth
1. Heat oil in a medium skillet, over medium heat. Add in garlic and ginger.
2. Cooking, stirring frequently 1-2 minutes.
3. Add veggies, salt, and broth.
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until veggies are tender-crisp.
Enjoy!!
I cut all of my veggies on day 1 and put them into tupperware. I also grated my ginger, that way the majority of my meal was ready to cook when it was lunch time.