Results from my 14 days of Juice Fasting

so if you have been reading this blog in the last month you know that i just finished a two week juice fast on father's day. it wasn't easy but it was so worth it.

in 13 days, i lost 11 pounds (and reached my goal weight) so on the 14th day i had juice for breakfast and lunch but i ate a salad for dinner.

i am not sure what my body fat percentage was before i started, if i had to guess it would be somewhere around 18-19% and when i had almost finished my fast, my trainer measured my body fat to be 13.8%!!! that proved to me then that all my hard work had truly paid off.

i still have some work to do but i am very happy i did this fast especially before heading back to the beach. i will probably need to do another when we return (detox anyone?!?)

overall everything shrank but i really see most of the results in my stomach fat and in my face.

face before

face after

some of the foods i enjoyed right after finishing the fast:

veggie omelet and fresh fruit from The String Bean Market

Nopales Salad from Mexican Grille 1900

now since being off the fast i have probably gained a couple pounds back but i know that since my body fat went down it's just a little water weight and probably from my vino!

i have several friends and other family members who have started and finished this juice fast and they too saw amazing results! i was most shocked by how great i felt, the energy i had and the fact that i was sleeping so much better than before. i will probably do this one a year as a cleanse.

Walk with Me, Daddy

Walk with Me, Daddy

Walk alongside me Daddy

and hold my little hand.

I have so many things to learn 

that I don't yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

From dangers everyday

Show me how to do my best

At home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

To guide them as they grow.

So walk alongside me, Daddy.

We have a long way to go.

Happy Father's Day babe. You are an amazing Daddy to Van & Rory. I could watch you with them all day. The way they look at you and the love you show them brings tears to my eyes. We are so lucky to have you. We love you forever & all ways. 

these days

I feel like I live on Instagram these days and found a ton of Iphone pictures that did not make the cut! Does your iPhone tell the story of your life too? #mamarazzi

my amazing parents enjoying a dinner date for my mom's birthday

van disappeared into his room and came out with this halfway on (incorrectly). he wanted to be a dinosaur! Rarrrrrrrrr!

when did he become a 10 year old?

r was not happy she couldn't run around

i tried to get van to take off his socks before putting on his flops and he goes, "no it's ok. papa wears them like this!"

sibling love

sunday funday at the lake. r was walking all over the boat

a little snack on our cruise. so much like his daddy

my rors

my precious boy

my heart

sharing goldfish. hope they always get along like this

look who found us on our puddle-stomping walk after the rain cleared - DADDY!

happy to be out of the house

Juice Fasting Day 7

what my first batch of juice looked like. i must say it actually tastes really good

went to the farmer's market instead of shopping at HT

saved $55!!! and bought more. 

you know how some people look in the mirror and think they are fatter than they really are? well, i think i have the opposite issue with my body. i was feeling great in my skin and pretty fit. i mean i eat well and i workout 3-4 times a week so in my mind i looked FABULOUS. or at least i should have.

then I saw pictures of myself at the beach and i was like woah, who is that person? that is not what i look like!!!

so, i got home and decided i was going to start a juice cleanse. both my mom and my sister have done this a couple times each and lost close to 40 pounds between them!

but still i was skeptical, especially since i am still breastfeeding rory. i was also scared to be honest. scared i was going to feel like poo, scared i was going to have zero energy (and with two active littles that is terrifying).

but after seeing my body in a bikini i knew it was either do the fast OR be super strict with my diet (and i already eat pretty well, just ask my trainer who has made me write everything i have ever eater down and send to him for the past 5 years)and wear myself out at the gym for 3+ months or suck it up, do this fast for two weeks and lose the extra 11 pounds (not much i know but it wasn't budging) that has been hanging on since i got pregnant with my first.

i decided to suck it up and i mentally prepared myself for the worst.

i am happy to say that it is now day 7 and i feel great. i've had more energy than before i started the fast, i have not been that hungry. i mean don't get me wrong. i have been hungry BUT it wasn't anything i could not handle with a carrot stick.

sometimes you just need something to chew on.

so in 7 days, besides drinking 3-4 (12oz) glasses of raw fruit and veggie juice and drinking a galloon of water a day , i have eaten 3 medium sized carrot sticks, 3 sugar-free mints and last night i rewarded myself with a plain Mediterranean salad from Brixx (no dressing).

as of thursday (i am writing this on sunday) i had lost 3 pounds. i will weigh myself again today and i am guessing i've lost close to 7 pounds so far. my clothes are much looser and my stomach which is the area i was most disgusted with is much smaller and tighter!!

some of you know that i started this and have asked questions so i wanted to do a little blog post about my experience. but let's be honest, not many people read this thing so it is mostly for me. in case i decide to do this again!

the book my mom gave me is called how to lose 30 pounds (or more) in 30 days with juice fasting (how to lose fat, keep it off & renew the mind, body & spirit through fasting, smart eating & practical spirituality) by Robert Dave Johnston

we are going to bald head in 3 weeks and i am motivated to keep up with this for at least another week!

Why are you crying?

Watch out world, Rory is walking and she is not happy about it!

Rory is 10 months

smiley

I say this every time but I think this age is one of my favorites. At 10 months, Rory still relies on me for a lot but she is also getting more independent and her personality is shining through. She is going to be a little spit-fire for sure!

can be serious too. "mommy, what are you doing?"

with her favorite person

true love

Rory at 10 months:

everyone always comments on what a happy baby you are

you are most always smiling

when you're smiling really big you crinkle your nose (it's my fave smile)

still wearing 12 months clothes though some of them are too short

at 20 lbs 14.5 oz and 28.75" long you are losing your rolls

it's from all the walking you are doing

you have taken as many as 6 or more steps on your own but then you realize you are not holding onto someone's finger and you sit down (which you do not like)

so you always reach out for someone's finger to hold to walk you around and around (you prefer to hang on with your left hand and if someone takes your right hand you switch them!

breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are ALL finger foods

some of your favorites are: cheese, lunchmeat, peas, o's, pancakes

still going strong with the breastfeeding

and up until recently (like this week) we were getting up 4-5 times a night to nurse

mommy had to put the stop to that after talking to Dr. Cross. i needed my nights and sleep back!

so, daddy and i are currently sleeping on an areo bed in the living room while we sleep train you for two weeks. our house is so small and i just can't take you crying right next to me. i have to get up and get you. bad for me and bad for you.

you are a babbling brook and i think you even made up a name for your brother (who you adore more & more every day and he you)

i have started to plan your FIRST birthday and i am still amazed that you have already been with us for almost a year

you are the sweetest, smiliest baby girl and you bring so much love, joy & laughter to our family. we can't wait to watch you grow bean

love, mommy, daddy & van

i tried to get a close up and this is what happened!

3rd Annual Lukoskie Beach Trip - in between fun in the sun

When we weren't at the pool or on the beach we relaxed inside with some cartoons, played a little frisbee, made giant bubbles for the littles to chase, ate & drank, rode our bikes, played Cards Against Humanity and made lots of incredible memories.

this picture makes my heart want to burst. he is so grown-up but will forever be my baby boy

i love this action shot

which was quickly followed by a little run-in with the pavement resulting in a boo-boo

all better after mommy's kiss and off again

lunch buddies

After a fun filled day the littles were in their jammies and in bed pretty early. 

Thank you mom and dad for the most amazing week together as a family. The best part of the trip is being able to spend quality time with everyone and laughing. We love you both more than words can ever fully say and we are so grateful you put this week together for us. Already looking forward to next year! You are the best parents and Nana & Papa.