I Have a Confession...

You know, blogging about positivity (for two whole weeks!!) has been an eye opening experience. It has made me question myself, then push myself for some honest answers. The latest question: Are you ready to open up?...that's what I asked myself. I am. But I do so knowing that I AM NOT ALONE in my struggles and that being determined to be POSITIVE will get me through. And when (not if) some of you relate to my words, it's ok to raise your hand, drop your head, close your eyes and say, "Amen"...so here's my confession....

I'm a comfort eater.....I know you're probably thinking, "who doesn't eat for comfort?" but there's more to it. I love cookies. I absolutely adore brownies (with ice cream), I could eat a whole package of gummi bears in minutes (darn chewy goodness)!! I heart chips and salsa, fried chicken, fried fish, chocolate chip cookies (I'd sleep with them if I could) and the list goes on....and ....on. I was over doing it and I was ashamed. Let me explain...

Life is very busy for me. I have 3 children, married, in school full time, work full time, I make it a POINT to enjoy myself and I exercise. That's a lot!! There are times when it feels like too much. I get stressed out or overwhelmed then I turn to food. Food has been my confidante and constant support, but you'd never know it. I'm what folks would call a "skinny girl". I'm the one you'd look at and say "oh you can afford to eat those cookies, you're thin!", But I can't because all the while I'm hurting inside (goodness this is getting deep!) I suffered because of the feelings that would ensue after eating all that crap, knowing it wasn't good for me. I know it isn't benefiting me outside of the immediate gratification, that is gone after I swallow. I'm not alone am I? You know what I'm talking about, right? Eating two whole rows of girl scout cookies, then REGRETTING that you did it. Mindless behavior.

I was hurting because, with every cookie I ate, I felt bad about it. But I continued to eat more. With every Kit Kat (king size at that) that I consumed, my guilt-o-meter would climb a little more. We aren't talking every once in a while here (that wouldn't be so bad), I'm talking every single day, no discretion, guilt building, self-love waning and ..... ACNE increasing!!! I am 4 months away from turning 29 and I will be darned if I'm going to fight break outs like I did as a teenager! This had to stop! And it did.

Alright this post might be lengthy.... But it's worth it, so read on...

You see, I'm at a point in life where I'm truly loving me; all of me. The way I was eating did not match up with how I wanted to ultimately feel. The bottom line is this, the more I ate crap the more I felt like crap, both physically and emotionally. I deserve better than that!! I deserve to be treated with respect and love, but I must, MUST treat myself with respect and love first! I was disrespecting the body God gave me by feeding it junk then feeling terrible about it! (You sayin' Amen yet?)

Some of us may eat and struggle with weight. Some of us may eat and struggle with break-outs, SOME of us may struggle with both, larger health issues or anything else in between!!! You are the only one who can take care of your body. So, do it...please. 

I know some of you reading this may eat unhealthy and don't have a huge problem with it. That's fine. But if you are eating crap AND you feel like crap because of it? It's time to make a change. Do you want to change? If so, Liberate Yourself and **Love yourself enough to be healthy....

Here's How I Did It:

45 DAYS ~~ NO FRIED FOODS and NO PROCESSED SUGAR CHALLENGE! 1/14 - 2/27/2013

Plan:
"Fail to plan, and you plan to Fail" I was addicted to sugar. So, I couldn't just stop cold turkey and not have a well  thought out plan for success. Thankfully, through my very best friend (Hey Sha!) I made the acquaintance of +Ajeenah Abdul , Yoga Instructor and Health Coach. She asked me a ton of questions that helped me become aware of why  I ate like I did. We devised a plan to replace my sweets and include supplements to give me energy and keep me going! Hence, the 45 Day Challenge. This challenge is ALL ABOUT breaking bad habits and creating new, better ones!!! The best part? You cater it to what YOU NEED to give up :-)

Action:
I am determined to see some changes in my skin and in my isolated moods after eating.. To be even more honest, I was very happy until the few minutes after I ate some fried wings or a snickers bar. Those moments would turn into tens of minutes of self deprecating thoughts. "why did you eat that" "you know it isn't good for you" "you want to eat healthy" "how are you going to make up for what you just ate?" Those thoughts would be very low points of my day, multiply that by the amount of junk food servings I ate per day, and you come up with a lot of time spent downing myself. Sooooo not my style and soooo not positive!!!

Support:
My friends and family were a great support to me. I Facebooked, Tweeted and Instagram'd my progress and low points when I needed some encouragement. Doing this sort of challenge alone is possible, but it helps very much to have some company along the way. Try to think of some friends or family members that may want to join you in changing their eating habits. That way you can support and encourage each other along :-) And offer some butt-kicking if you start to feel weak!

Results:
I'm going to go ahead and pat myself on the back now. I'm at the end of my challenge!!! Not once did I cheat!! I've proven to myself how disciplined I can be... I am so proud of myself! My skin has cleared tremendously (you'll just have to take my word for that, no pics) and I am free from the thoughts that taunted me after I ate the junk food. I feel ten times better and more energized now that I eliminated the "crap from my diet!! Do I still crave cookies? Yes, but I know I'll be fine in fact, I'll be GREAT without them! I'm going forwards from here. I'm not turning back!!!

In all, I realized my love affair with sweets and fried foods was unrequited. It gave me nothing but heartache in return. I will not treat myself that way. I will be liberated  from feeling like the crap that I consumed was benefiting me. And I'm still a comfort eater, just eating healthier dishes. And oh what a liberating feeling that is...

Below are pictures of some wonderful dishes I made that left me comforted but most importantly feeling very good after eating them and not miserable ;-) If you'd like to have the recipes, Just let me know in the comment box and I'll be glad to share!!

If you want to change your eating habits, develop a health plan or do a 45 Day Challenge yourself, Contact me today (404) 957 8941 or empowered2dance@gmail.com

   **A little literature support!! I cant wait to get started reading this book by Basheerah Ahmad, Fitness Expert!!! (Thanks Amazon!) 50 Affirmations to Your Best Life!

My Goodness!! This supplement has been great!! Greens Powder gives energy, detoxifies AND supplies you with 5 + servings of your daily fruit and veggie requirements! Good Stuff!! This what ULTIMATELY helped me kick my sugar addiction! www.empoweredandhealthy.myitworks.com

In addition to the Greens Powder, I took these supplements each day! The garlic kills bacteria (acne causer), Cod Liver oil caps support overall immune function and the Vitamin C, has B vitamins as well, helps with stress, gives energy and supports immune function also!

 And now for the FOOD!!! Yum!! ;-)

Filling for Oven Baked Egg Rolls: Chicken Breast, Cabbage, Carrots & Onions.  Good as a side dish by itself too!

Oven-"Fried' (but not really) Flounder (This was HEAVENLY!!)

Stir Fried Brown Rice!!

Tri-Color Penne w/ Roasted Chicken Breast, Shrimp in Lemon Herb Sauce!! One of those dishes you create in your head and it turns out waaay better than you expected!!

Oven-Baked Egg Rolls!!! Hit the SPOT because I REALLY wanted Chinese food on this day!!

Want a recipe? Let me Know!

 BE Great, BE Positive , BE Blessed .....and BE Healthy

Gemini Ladyy

 #followthepositivity

Instagram: @gemini_ladyy

Twitter: @liberateyoself