8 am: blueberries, protein, almond milk, banana
10:30 am: carrot juice
12:15 pm: blackberries, strawberries, apple juice, protein
2:45 pm: TJ’s Carrot Ginger soup (unpictured)
5:30 pm: Veggie burger and side salad at The Porch
If you guessed the burger, you’re right.
As a dietitian, I preach whole foods, balance, and food as fuel rather than restriction, fad dietiting, and hyped up “cleanses”. So why did I consume smoothies and soup for 2 days straight?
A few years ago I did a 6 Day Detox plan that included only smoothies, carrot juice, and carrot soup. It did help me drop a few pounds quickly and I don’t remember it being that challenging. The plan also calls for “cleansing” basically using fiber supplements and diuretics, which I was not comfortable with and never followed at all.
This Sunday I found the plan during our move and calculated the calories to a little under 1200 – not that far off from the calorie level I recommend for some of my clients who are trying to lose weight.
So Sunday night I went to Trader Joe’s and stocked up on the components of the smoothies and bought some soup. I followed the plan on Monday to a “T” and felt absolutely fine. Since I haven’t been able to exercise due to my medical issues, I thought reduced calories were the way to go to get me to feel better before our upcoming Miami trip. I’ve been indulging in lots of prepared/conveinence foods with our lack-of-a-kitchen situation, including leftover Easter candy and this fantatic popcorn.
Yesterday I had the morning smoothie, carrot juice, lunch time smoothie, and then my stomach started growling. Less than an hour after the smoothie, 2 hours before I was “allowed” to have 80 calories worth of soup. Feeling hungry is no fun.
I went to the doctor’s to have a test done and my husband came with me. By the time that ordeal was over I was absolutely starving and I knew that a smoothie for dinner was not going to help my mood. I decided my body knew I needed real food, something solid to chew on and digest. So I thought, “What am I doing? If I need to eat, I should just EAT.”
So we did. We tried out a new-to-us restaurant [review to come], had a wonderful time, and it took my mind off everything else that’s going on. I was snapped back to the reality of making good food choices more often than not-so-good ones, enjoying smoothies because I WANT to, not because they’re part of a “plan”, and leaving it up to my body to let me know when I’m physically hungry and need to eat.
So that’s that.
Happy hump day!
Well I admire your discipline for being able to go around just eating smoothies and juices and surviving on just 1200 calories/day because I know if I did that, I’d be a cranky-pants for sure. Great that you are able to be in control and choose to enjoy a night out at a restaurant if you want to. xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Olympic Fever
I was close to cranky pants – that’s why a dinner out was in order!
Yay for listening to your body and feeding it what it needed.
Smoothies are wonderful to get in extra nutrients or for a cold postwork snack. I’m not sure if I could do it full time though. I like the idea of cleansing to get rid of the “gunk” but I normally will just up the amount of fiber and water in my diet. Typically I feel better in the day or two. 
Absolutely – I’d rather focus on more fruits, veggies & low fat protein.
I think listening to your body was perfect. The burger looks awesome!
Carrie recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday and my Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
great job on listening to your body and being honest with yourself! 1200 cals/day is definitely not enough so i’m sure your body was happy you fed it that burger.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..WIAW #32: Road Trip Eats
Never deny a good veggie burger anyways
hahah
At least you got your juices in for the morning, and I’m sure if you stuck with that, you would eventually be able to carry it into the evenings again!
I think I should have went the smoothie route this morning! I had pancakes (because I woke up starving), but since eating them, I am completely stuffed!!
char eats GREENS recently posted..april foodie penpals
Mmm I haven’t had pancakes forever.
Good for you for recognizing that you just need to listen to you body! I always found when I was cleansing that the biggest trick was not getting to the point of starving. Snacking is a must for me!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Cocoa Krispies Protein Pudding + WIAW
Carrot juice just didn’t cut it in the snack department.
I’m glad your body spoke up, and I’m glad you listened.
(Plus, I’ve def seen restaurant meals that are much less healthy. haha) I’ve been pressuring myself a lot lately with workouts, and I think my body might put the breaks on it soon if I don’t chill out a bit.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..WIAW: The Homebody Party
Working out is an addiction – it’s hard to back off!
I’ve always wanted to try a juice cleanse, but have no faith that I would be able to maintain it! I always stick with lots of vegetables and lean protein when I need a little “detox.”
so far i just had coffee, grilled tilapia, and a salad. my dinner will be a panini sandwich.
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Restaurants: Cornelia Street Café (New York City… West Village)
I love juicing/smoothies- For me personally- it really help only consuming liquids for a day to flush my system out
Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition recently posted..New Schedule…
I love juicing in the morning and then a smoothie for an afternoon snack or post workout meal. I have tried to just consume liquids for a day as a detox but my body doesn’t go for it. I need to actually chew things! haha That’s why fruits a veggies are the best =)
I have tried veggie burgers and can’t really get into them. Is there a brand you suggest trying??
I’ve never tried juicing but I have a feeling it would leave me super cranky and wanting a big juicy burger as well!
Alexis recently posted..Who needs a doctor
I’m a little late because of traveling ordeals, but I’m sure you already know what I’m about to say..
You go girl!!!! Trust me– lately I’ve been dealing with a constant body/mind struggle between eating more and still eating mindfully, but it’s been very out of the norm for me. It is SO encouraging to hear that you’re listening to your body, even though they weren’t necessarily in line with your “plans”.
I’m starting to realize “plans” and “hunger” never match up for me haha. Now I just need to learn to be fine with that
Love ya girl! Have a happy Thursday
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..WIAW “Eat More” Edition
You’re the best. I hope we get to meet up! <3
I enjoyed The Porch, but I actaully liked the atmosphere a bit better than the food. The veggie burger was pretty good, but I still think Fatheads black bean burger is the best veggie burger in the Burgh. I hope you enjoyed it, I look forward to your review!
Leanne @ The Skinny Architect recently posted..All this energy callin’ me
It’s funny because I thought about how you gave it a mediocre review but I still ordered it – not a fan of all the olives!
good for you for listening to your body! it’s funny how we can eat so healthy and be obsessed with food to the point of un-health and sometimes what we need to do is give ourselves a break!
teabagginit recently posted..You win some You lose some
Man, I have definitely had these moments! I’ve overindulged too much and think I’ll go for a more dramatic weight loss/cleanse for just a couple of days to clean up my diet. It never works though and I end up just going back to what works for me: whole foods with lots of veggies and regular snacks/meals…that is something I can live with!
Anna recently posted..A tale of Two Races