Yep, I cut my losses on the 21 sugar detox. While I definitely took less insulin, my blood sugar numbers were all over the map! I would have thought they would be low, but even after eating stuffed peppers that had no rice or starchy fillers at all – and even after taking what little insulin I thought I would need for a low carb dish – two hours later my blood sugar was 279! Crazeballs.
So, I am going back to what I did back in June when I started Insanity. I told myself nothing was off-limits. And with that mindset, I was in charge of what I ate. I could choose to eat a donut, but I didn’t! This last week when I was restricted on what I could eat – all I did was obsess about what I couldn’t eat and it was driving me nuts. So I am back to my calorie counting and balancing out the ratio of carbs/protein/fat. Sorry Peggy if I let you down – but you are being a great cheerleader to the people who finished up their first week on the detox.
I was thrilled when right before Christmas I was contacted by Balance Bar to try out some of their new Balance Bars. These actually saved me the week Tony was in the hospital because I kept them in my purse and a couple times my blood sugar was low and it was nice to just grab this bar without having to leave his hospital room.
Um, these are the bars that are left – I’ve already eaten four of them! Along with the bars I got a 2014 Calendar. They have teamed up with lifestyle expert, Laurel House, with tips on how to live your best in 2014.
January –
Make an “intention” board to stay motivated. Create an intention board of images and words cut from magazines
that illustrate the energy behind your goals/intentions/resolutions for the year.
I actually like the word “intention” rather than goal. Intent to me means that you have an action in plan to get to your goal. I am making it simple for myself again – just make each day the best that I can make it, and move on to the next day. No regrets for the day before and no anticipation of what the next day will bring. Just living in the moment.
I am happy that I only work on Friday and Saturday night at the restaurant, so I am hitting the gym before work everyday this week except Friday, since I will be working a double that day. I will make Friday my rest day and make up the workout over the weekend. I have all my meals planned too – some interesting things this week! Thanks to Courtney’s menu post, I saw the recipe that Jessica made – honey chipotle chicken bowls. It’s made with a lime quinoa – cannot wait to have this for lunch today!
Not only did I get this package from Balance Bar, but they are offering up the same package for one of my readers to win! You will receive a variety of Balance Bars, the 2014 Calendar and the Yurbuds headphones. OMG, I LOVE these headphones! I cannot tell you how many times when I bent down to do barbell rows to not only have one, but BOTH ear pieces fall out of my ears. These have a unique “twist” so they fit perfect for women, and are guaranteed not to fall out. I wore them for a good two hours yesterday while cleaning my pantry, going up and down stairs for laundry, etc. and the fit was wonderful.
Excuse the messy hair – I was still in my jammies when I took this picture!
So because it’s their giveaway, and not mine, a couple rules.
- Check out their New Year’s Balance Bar Pledge;
- Like their Facebook Page
- Check out their Twitter
- Check them out on Pinterest
- Check out Yurbuds (FYI, the Yurbuds have a retail value of $29.99!)
Do you pledge to be a better version of you in 2014? Just leave a comment below letting me know that you have checked out the above links, and I will choose a random winner on Wednesday, January 15. Good luck!
I always tell Tony that we should eat more fish. I am the problem. He would love it if I cooked salmon, but I am picky about fish. What I do love, of course, are the most expensive fish like Chilean Sea Bass and Ahi Tuna! I scored and got two tuna steaks – each $4.99 – at The Fresh Market. I can justify the cost because there is no way we’d be able to get this meal for $5 a person at a restaurant! I ended up marinating my piece in this marinade on the left, just a tablespoon, and I also bought this toasted sesame blend for the sides.
I served it over a lobster stock risotto with edamame and carrots. So good! I almost overcooked the fish though – it was delicious and Tony ate every bite. I am confident that my brother and sister wouldn’t eat this dish. Mom, would you??
So I finally weighed in. After my mindless eats at night while Tony was in the hospital, not getting to the gym like I used to . . .it caught up with me. Since December 1 I’ve gained 6.5 pounds.
Yep, mismatched socks for you this morning – my toes need a pedicure so I didn’t want to gross you out too much! So, I am pulling my big girl pants up and getting back at it. I worked too hard from June to December to go back to where I started from, just glad that I am getting back on track now, instead of months from now!
Off to finish putting my food together for the day – on tap for lunch today? Jessica’s honey chipotle chicken bowls with lime quinoa! Yum!
I need those earphones. Love your blog and read everyday
http://www.howsweeteats.com/ is one of those blogs I somehow forget to check regularly, but when I stumble across it again I get wrapped up in it for an hour or more!
Don’t sweat a few pounds–especially since you have a plan of attack (so to speak) it’s not like things have been easy or normal in the last few weeks. Just get back into it and you’ll start to feel better again.
RE: fish, I find that making whole fish helps, as there are lots of mild-flavored options like trout available that you can do quite a bit with; even seasoning one well on both sides with salt, pepper, some garlic shoved into the cavity, and some lemon and herbs around it, roasted in a pan, is sufficient.
I checked out all the links – please enter me into the giveaway! Thanks!
Now I have to check out the lime quinoa chicken bowl – sounds so tasty.
My boyfriend and I tried to eat more fish last year and had limited success, we’ll be working on this again this year.
Re the gain – your eating and exercise routine went through a lot last month with the new job and T being in the hospital (and the holidays to boot). But now’s the time to get back on track and nip this gain in the bud! You can do it!
I’m the same exact way… when I start to limit what I eat & cut down on the types of foods I eat I then crave (like a monster) those foods. No limits…no obsessions!
LOL – Love your mismatched socks. That’s what I love about you – you keep it REAL!
Ahi Tuna is something I really need to make. I love it on the rare occasions I have it!
Ummm…the quinoa bowl – MF – that’s AMAZING!
Don’t sweat it over the gain in pounds. Remember too some of it may be muscle weight. As long as you feel good and your clothes fit about the same i wouldn’t worry.
The balance bars sound like they would be good. I am always hesitant if stuff like that will have that weird “whey” taste. But hey if you like them then you know I’ll have to at least try one. I checked out all the links but hopefully I didn’t have to tweet anything. I know nothing about tweeting. The yurbuds look awesome I’m going to have to put those on my wish list. I hate that any I’ve tried always fall out and I’m not even super athlete girl.
Your second parapraph is exactly the reason I’m not doing diets anymore. As soon as I count calories or am restricted to what I can eat, I start eating too much. No limits in what I eat works best for me because if I know I can have it if I want too, in most cases I don’t take it because I don’t want to eat it.
I’m picky with fish too and I know it’s good to eat at least fish once a week but I don’t want to eat fish every week because I don’t like it that much. I learned to eat it only a couple of years ago. So we eat fish occasionally and I’m fine with that.
That honey chipotle bowl looks absolutely delicious…MUST cook soon.
As for the 6 pounds….honestly, I wouldn’t sweat it. The man you love more than anything has been in the hospital, the holidays were here (that in itself is a mine for weight gain!) and were different than they usually are because of the different home dynamic. You are one of the strongest and most dedicated people I’ve ever known (or ‘internet’ known, rather
) and I have full faith that you will get back to a place where you’re happy and healthy. You deserve it 
I checked out those balance bars.. dear lord, those look incredible. And the headphones aren’t bad either
everytime I go running, I have to put a headband over my ears so the earbuds don’t fall out. Would LOVE to win these and hopefully put the tacky headband trick to rest.
xoxoxoxo
Kayla
That tuna looks AMAZING!
I checked out the links and would love to be entered in the contest…I actually already have a paid of Yurbuds, and LOVE them…I would love to pass along a new pair to my best gal pal/gym buddy. 
Great post!! I love how you keep it “real”.
Hi there! Longtime lurker here…excited to see the Balance Bar giveaway; I checked out all of the links. Keep on keeping on!
Great post biz!
I agree that it’s sometimes easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle when nothing’s “off the table,” so to speak. You know what works for you!!! Hope you have a great week
Don’t worry. you’ll have that weight back off in no time! I checked out all the sites & took the Balance Bar Pledge!!
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Tonight I’m heading back to WW after being off for over a month. I dread weigh in but I’ll just have to suck it up, face the truth and get back at it!! 2014 is going to be a great year!
I love Jane’s Krazy salt but haven’t seen the sesame seasonings in our store but I’ll be looking for it now.
Love the socks!!
Mismatched socks to go with your mismatched feet! LOL!
Your tuna steaks are so gorgeous – I’ve never had tuna steaks and I so need to hit that!
And speaking of edamame, I’ve had a total craving for them lately and in 12 hours have eaten an entire bag by myself. Soooo good.
Hi Biz…well I will take the challenge….yep resolutions are hard to keep. Would like to try those balance bars, will have to see if they are sold here in Appleton. Liked on FB, got lost on twitter but following. Need to go to Pinterest yet and check out those yurbuds, am always looking for buds that fit, they always fall out.
Oh…I made that roasted vegie tomato sauce over zoodles (gave JP pasta) GOSH was that delicious!!! JP had 3 platefuls, he really liked it!!! Thanks for a great recipe!!
161 lbs is not a bad weight to be, just think where you have come from, so you are doing really well. Yeah, I would stick with what works the best for your body…..and as SharonF said “I’ve seen a lot of diets come and go” best thing is sticking with healthy foods, can lose with that. Have a great day.
Thank you so much for the shout out – I like, squealed outloud!
Love the word intention, I find it so much better than goal.
The tuna looks BEAUTIFUL – wow, fancy dinner in Biz’s kitchen!!!
And lastly, I’m loving the mismatched socks
I checked all the links.
I did get a giggle out of the mismatched socks. I have caught myself a few times wearing mismatched socks to work. My thought was oh well who is going to see them.
I am sure you are on this tip already..but after you get your pedi. Use coconut oil on your feet daily. Scrub in shower every other day. You will continue to have baby soft feet.
I like the pledge to be the best possible me in 2014! Checked out their other sites, too. I really would love to try those cool headphones!
I think it’s a good idea to move on from the 21 day sugar detox if all it did was make you want to eat the things that were off limits… And you got right on the scale and have a plan in place. That’s really all that matters!
The tuna looks delish. Don’t worry about the few pounds. You will get back to it. I need to get back to eating better from after my holiday splurges. Heading out for a walk/ run now.
I know once you say you will get back on track that is what you will do!! I have visited the sites and have not tried the Balance Bars or the YurBuds. It would be great to try them. I make the pledge to be the best me every year with hopes that each year is better than the last
Your blog rocks! I made your broccoli quiche over the weekend, YUM!
I would love to try balance bars and the yurbuds!
I pledge to be a better version of me in 2014! I checked out the links.
Good luck in 2014! You can do it!!
Oh and I checked out all the links for the balance bar giveaway. I love balance bars, I always spread a skiff of peanut butter on top for some extra flavor and protein.
You will lose it in no time. Have you seen the new WW plan? Its basically how you eat now, but they have some meals already figured out called Simple start and no counting points. I have a 50% off 6 month coupon if you’re interested. Btw, I hate salmon too. I love swordfish and most white fish. Cant do Tuna though, its the rawness of it, Blech( I don’t eat sushi either).
I checked out the sites and I LOVE LOVE your blog. I look forward to reading it every morning!! As a fairly new diagnosed diabetic, the info you share is very valuable and I love how open you are about things.
I think it’s really important to do what works for you as an individual, no matter how enticing other plans might be…and when you have a controlled medical condition, it’s best to not mess with that success. As for the weight gain, you’ve had a crazy time…it would have been rough just with the new job, but add in the holidays and then Tony’s hospitalization, and I’d say that 6 pounds isn’t that bad. Of course I know you want to get it off, and I also know that you will. Onward and downward!
P.S. Thanks for ordering the hat! I’m excited for you – I think you’re going to love it!
I bet that weight comes off fairly easy. it went on fast because of everything that was going on. Stress has a way of holding things in the strangest places. Take a deep breath and have a great day.
As a 70 yr. old I have seen a lot of “diets” come and go! I think I do my best when I eat what I want. Just make sure your pantry and fridge are full of healthy foods. Checked out all the above sites. Thanks for the giveaway.
Good luck to you as you get back on track! I’d love to try those earbuds – they look crazy cool!
I can NOT wear two different socks, I can not stand how it feels. That photo is making my feet all uncomfortable! Getting focused again, you will no doubt lose that weight again quickly. That tuna looks so awesome, I have a few steaks in the freezer, love searing them and eating on a salad. Happy Monday, hope it is a good week.
That dinner looked delicious. I would love to try those Yurbuds.
I’m happy that you are going back to what worked for you in the summer!!
I would eat that dinner – looks delicious!!
And – that honey chipotle chicken bowl looks so good – thanks for sharing the recipe – I pinned it and hope to try it soon!
You can do it Biz! Its definitely been a rough patch for you and T…but I’m so glad yall are in a better place and I know you’ll get right back to it! LOVE LOVE LOVE balance bars! Josh does too. I usually have a couple in the cabinets in case we need something to grab and go. I think you know my Better Me in 2014 goals, but I want to continue to give through the SPCA and some other way. I felt like donating to your DVD drive was a good start!
Bullets today!
~ Crazeballs – LOVE IT!
~ I, too, need to know that nothing is off limits. I had thought about going Paleo for the New Year as a jump start, but then thought that it would hinder me too much. Instead, I am going back to the mindset that helped me lose 35 lbs.
~ I like the word “intention,” too!
~ I have the yurbuds! I probably would have never found nor bought them, but they came in one of my boxes and they are the first ones that do not fall out of my ears. I LOVE them!
~ Do you have any tips for making quinoa? I get caught up on the rinsing step and I have quinoa everywhere. I’d really like to start incorporating it into our meals more…
~ Eat more fish because you can! My husband can’t eat chicken and fish so I often make them when he is out of town or I’m having a girls’ night! (Or, it’s what I order when we dine out. Had the BEST salmon last night!)
you are a dork, why would you let me down? you decided to try, and you decided it didn’t work for you, YOU DECIDE! not me, lol! I tried to reach you on FB over the weekend, didn’t have time to make it over here, sick kiddo. You need to let me know if you want off the email distro….
I love that Krazy Jane’s seasoning and can never find it anywhere. The bottle we have is almost gone. Where do you buy it?
Congrats on getting back to it!