Observation

[mrsjason]

For the last 2 months or so I have decided to cut out processed foods from my diet and eat clean. For the most part I have stuck to this diet, since it involves no calorie counting, and I have indulged in some junk food from time to time.

I have also started working out, and I have lost 8 lbs. A normal person probably would have dropped more weight, but I have a thyroid condition that makes dropping weight super hard.

Anyway, every where I go people comment on how much trimmer I am. While dropping 8 lbs helps, I don't think 8 lbs is a drastic enough weight loss to warrant these comments. I honestly think it's due to my clean eating. My waistline is soooooo much trimmer, I have lost 3 inches, which in my opinion is a LOT. I think all that junk that is in processes foods was causing me to be thicker. Like, I feel like my face is trimmer, less swollen under the eyes........not that I had swelling under my eyes, but I was definitely puffier.

So, I just thought I would pass my observation along to you guys. I hate to all it a "diet", since really I don't consider it a diet. More of a lifestyle change. Like, don't eat crap, lol. So if anyone is struggling to shed a few lbs, I suggest eating clean and not only will you feel much better, you will look better too.

[mrschelseap09]

TFS, Kathy. H & I have just recently started to do the same, sometimes it is so hard though. I hate dieting as well but I have put on 10lbs since I stopped BFing and I am so uncomfortable in my clothes. Hopefully I start seeing some results.

[lauren9317]

Can you give an example what you typically eat in a day? Congrats, you must feel great!

[sara76]

Awesome!! Go girl, 3 inches is amazing!! I could never eat clean entirely because protein bars save my life. Even when I was doing the hard core diet they were allowed after the first 10 lbs lost. But it's a great way of life!

[amellis2]

That's awesome, Kathy. I keep trying to figure out what eating clean means (I get the unprocessed foods part), but I am not sure what else it means. Honestly, I don't want to buy a book on it - I'm trying to cut back on the things that are crammed into our tiny apartment

I'd like to see a typical menu, too.
Do you suppose it'd be easy yo continue being vegan on a clean lifestyle? I have some friends who do Paleo, and it's almost impossible to be Paleo (and stick to it) and Vegan (my friend eats hard cheeses, and Dairy is a no-no on the Paleo plan.)

[mrsjason]

In the AM in eat egg whites. If I liked egg yolks I would eat them too, but I don't, so egg whites are my preferred choice I usually add some home made salsa to them.

For lunch I eat salad with chicken breast cut up. Or I will make some sort of sandwich. I know bread is "processed" but whateves. I got to eat something, right?

For snacks I eat cheese and fruits and veggies

For dinner, we always grill some sort of meat. Steak, chicken, pork......all lean cuts. Then I either steam or grill veggies.

Sounds boring, but once you become accustomed to not eating crap (processed food) it's not that bad. My body no longer craves sugar

What started this all is seeing a photo of a friend of mine on FB. She posted a before and after photo from her lifestyle change of clean eating and exercising. It's AMAZING how different she looks! Hope my link works......

sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/582064_357051257676661_195148472_n.jpg

[mrsjason]

Marissa - Here is an article I found that kinda sums up clean eating.....

www.huffingtonpost.com/livestrongcom/clean-eating-5-simple-ste_b_632545.html

To be honest, I am not sure if you can survive being vegan on the plan. But then again, I don't know enough how you can survive just being vegan, LOL. I have no clue what you eat, other than tofu, LOL.

[moonstone523]

Awesome! I'd love to see a before and after photo of you.

I have to say that I think 8lbs is a pretty big deal.

[etteyam]

That's awesome, Kathy! At home, I eat basically the same thing as you outlined. MH is very strict about limiting processed foods in the house coz he doesn't want our DDs exposed to them. It's what I eat at work that's killing me. Working in healthcare, we have so many grateful patients and family members who keep bringing in treats. I don't indulge all the time. And even though I've been working out more, I still have a little bit to lose. Maybe I just need to start accepting that this is gonna be my post-baby body.

[loskadoodle]

Good job! That's awesome!