Sugar is Evil!

It's true what they say; SUGAR IS EVIL!!

I'm two months into my 'healthier eating & regular exercise' way of life and whilst I have had NO  trouble at all sticking to the exercise part of things ... the food is another story. Getting up, training hard is easy - I love the feeling of training and knowing I have been active for the day. One thing I have noticed is that there is one common ground of EVIL that keeps creeping its way in.. that is SUGAR.

I can eat healthy for 5 days straight - Ill have really clean meals with chicken or fish for protein - salads with little dressing etc but come the weekend without fail I get overtaken by temptation. It usually comes in the form of creamy carmel Copenhagen ice-cream ... some rich and super decident dessert after dining out or simply a golden Twix bar.

The other hard thing is that 'refined sugar' is in SO many foods that you often think you are eating something fairly clean - yet its not. Unless you buy raw ingredients and cook it yourself, you really can't tell. Hell - I only realised the other day that alot of Thai food comes with added sugars in their sauces. Seriously, you might as well drink a can of coke at times!

Anyone who cuts the 'bitch' out of their diet will notice one; some or all of the following withdrawal symptoms:

1. Mood Swings

2. Headaches

3. Sleep patterns affected

4. Fatigue

5. Sugar cravings

I need to step up my WILL POWER and really take it one step further with cutting out the refined rubbish - I know my results will skyrocket by doing so but its not just about that ... when you read the affects that sugar has on your body its disgusting and scary. If you haven't yet researched it, then you really should. Try starting with GOOGLE - the pages are endless.

If you have any great ideas to 'Ditch the Bitch' then let me know ... she's a hard one to kick to the curb.

Love SS

x

Vital Greens - Superfood

It has been a little while since my last post but I can assure you I have not fallen off the wagon .. in fact I have been kicking goals!

I have continued to consistantly train with my trainer 4 days a week - I then have the 1 or 2 solo sessions and allow myself a min of 1 complete rest day. In such a short time my strength has improved dramatically - from stuggling to do squats with just the bar to comfortably squatting reps of 10 at a weight of 60kilos. This is a HUGE achievement for me. All areas of weight training I have increased my strength levels and even my recovery time is improving.

My trainer has got me onto a new product - Vital Greens. I don't take multivitamins as I just don't like them but strangely enough this product I am enjoying. I will warn you it looks putrid but it actually tastes like bubblegum. I simply mix 2 heaped teaspoons in water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and I knock it back like a shot. 

I genuinely feel fresh and clear headed off it - now maybe it just because I am believing it is working or maybe it actually is having a positive effect on me - either way I give this product the thumbs up!

Vital Greens is a nutrient and enzyme-rich, complete "Superfood" which contains 76 nutrients essential to deliver optimal health, energy and vitality to every cell in the body.

Vital Greens Product Summary

• Maximum absorption and bio-availability of nutrients in this form compared to tablets and capsules.
• Comprehensive, synergistic 76 ingredients.
• Majority of nutrients are food sourced.
• Certified organic ingredients.
• Correct ratio of minerals and trace elements.
• Enhances acid/alkaline balance.

Benefits

Vital Greens works as a:

• Detoxifier/Cleanser - detoxifying and gently cleansing your colon, liver and working on every single cell in the body. The unique combination of nutrients will help your body progressively eliminate waste which builds up on the bowel walls, cleansing the liver which is the body's main filter organ and emulsify fat helping to maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
• Energiser/Alkaliser - Vital Greens contains many superfoods to help give you more energy, feel more vibrant and less sluggish and stressed. Alkalinity is promoted which results in feeling more balanced and alive!
• Well-Being Promoter - Vital Greens contains potent antioxidants, adaptogenic herbs boosting stamina, endurance and the immune system. Powerful phyto-nutrients building health from the very basics of the cell. There are no less than 2 pro-biotics in Greens.
• Mental Acuity Sharpener - Vital Greens contains Lecithin, Rosemary and Co-Enzyme Q-10 which may help increase mental acuity, focus and concentration.

Features

• The essential nutrients include naturally occurring whole food source vitamins and both macro and trace minerals. Together with powerful antioxidants, pro-biotics for intestinal health, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids (both Omega 3 and 6), digestive enzymes, cell pigments, plant sterols and fibres.
• The great tasting powder form ensures maximum absorption and enzyme activity. Up to 3 times more nutrients are absorbed this way compared to tablets and capsules.
• All these nutrients combine synergistically to provide a true superfood; a balanced nutritional support from real food that's alive instead of synthetically made vitamin pills.
• This combination will supply the body with the raw material it needs daily for optimum health and vitality.

Love SS

x

Caveman/Paleo Eating Plan

80% of the time my diet is comprised of the above - the Caveman diet - otherwise known as Paleo.

I was talking about it with my boyfriend today because his mate forwarded him a great pciture overview of it (below). I have been eating this way consistantly for the past few years and it helps me maintain my shape. For the times I need to 'tighten' up a little I simply increase it from 80% to 95%. 

The best part about this eating plan (I loathe the word diet) is that its practical; easy; maintainable and fun. I say fun because once you get into it you really can become quiet creative in the way that you cook. One of my new favourite meals which I got from Ricki-Lee is Brocollini Bolognaise - you make a bolognaise sauce using fresh lean mince; garlic; onion; herbs; fresh diced tomatoes and whatever else you may put in that is 'Paleo' then you simply steam Brocollini instead of pasta and use that as your 'core' ingredient. It is HEAVEN!

The Caveman . Paleo System basically it goes something like this:

This isn't for everyone - at the end of the day you gotta find out what works for you. I love the simplicity of it - that includes my grocery shopping! Again, 80% of my trolley is the above. At the moment I am loving trying new vegies to come up with creative salads. This month I am hooked on Chineese Cabage & Bean Sprouts .... I am using it in nearly every salad I make but I'll alter the remaining ingredients like; roast pumpkin; grilled zuchinni; mushrooms; grilled chicken; cucumber; olives and the list goes on :)

The other beauty of this eating plan is that you really only have to maintain walking around 30 mins a day - that is if you ARE truly following it. So where possible park your car further away and walk that little bit extra to work - Take the stairs as oppose to the lift .... you know the rest I don't need to rehash it.

When you think about how food has progressed over time with preservatives and additives, it really is quiet sickening. It is no wonder our world is polluted with so much ill health.

Remember if you keep it simple it will be easier to maintain.
Focus on all the delicious things you CAN have rather then what you can't.
Be Creative - you will even suprise yourself I'm sure of it.
You spend $$ servicing your car & no doubt putting in the best petrol - so spend $$ on what you fuel yourself with. Don't go cheap buy the better cuts of meat and spoil yourself with yummy fruit & veg.

Love SS

x