I've made the decision to "eat clean" for the next 30 days. There are several reasons why I want to complete this challenge.
1. I'm getting married next June. Since the last two years have been spent totally happy and in love- I got kind of fat. I'm about 35 pounds heavier than I was 3 years ago, when I was at my healthiest. I'm hoping that eating clean...along with running and exercise... will help me lost those 35 pounds by June.
2. I get lots of headaches and stomachaches, and I have NEVER been a sound sleeper- which means I'm exhausted all the time. I'm hoping that by taking out all the processed crap, these problems will improve.
3. I still get zits like I'm a 15 year old girl. At 31, I should be done with acne! I'm hoping that clean eating will help clear up my skin.
4. Who doesn't like a good challenge? I just want to see if I can do it. 30 days of no Redd's Apple Ale, no Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and no Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzards. It's a big test. If I can make it through 30 days, I should be able to give those things up completely, right?
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5. I'm stressed out an anxious. Anxiety runs in my family, and I've read tons of information over the last few months that point to decreased anxiety levels with clean eating.
So- What exactly do I mean by "Clean Eating"? These rules pretty much cover it. I'm not completely going to cut out a complete food group, but I AM going to try and cut back significantly on grains. I'm a big fan of the Paleo Lifestyle, but I don't think I should completely cut out things like quinoa, black beans, or dairy. Basically- If it has more than 5 ingredients, and any that I can't really pronounce, I'm not going to eat it.
I'm hoping this blog will help hold myself accountable and help me see progress! I'll post any recipes I come across that are awesome... and feel free to leave me any feedback you might have for me! Happy reading!
