20 Days of Clean Eating: Day 1, 2, 3, & 4
I am on day four of my clean eating plan. First off, I don’t really have a plan and my definition of clean eating is probably different from yours. Clean eating to me is just another way to say “cleaning up my diet.” I’ll be honest. I’ve been so bad at eating clean. Sure, I’ve been ordering salads, eating fresh fruit, oatmeal, protein, and proteins, but I’ve also been drinking wine, eating lots of chocolate, and dining out at restaurants. I’ve decided to clean up my diet the best I can. There will be times when I’m out of town and absolutely have to eat out or eat something off the ideal chart. But when I am out, I want to make the healthiest decisions possibly. I don’t want to make it impossible or hard to follow and so it’s not your average “20 day plan.” And Why I chose 20 days? I will be in the Dominican Republic in 20 days for a Fit Trip! I will be attending the Masters of the Ocean tournament and participate in Puerto Plato’s fitness activities like surf lessons, yoga classes, trapeze camp, cable car adventures, bike tours, river hiking and catamaran trips! I am extremely excited.
So after the 20 days, what happens? I create new goals on top of my finished goals. Maybe I’ll try a new sport or try a new power food! I’m excited to see where this personal challenge takes me.
Lets talk about coffee: I’ve thought about cutting it out, I’ve tried over ten times, and it always fails me. I’ve decided to cut back on coffee, but not eliminate it.
More weights! More strength training! More time in the gym!
A healthy lifestyle has to be easy and attainable. I’ve decided to make most of my meals salads because they’re convenient, they’re filling, I genuinely like them, and they’re so diverse!
Nick’s cousin was in town because of a layover last night and we headed over to his parents house to see him. They ordered pizza and Nick’s mom made me a delicious salad. Another key to success, is having people around you support your lifestyle. The salad had lettuce, tomatoes, some italian meat, carrots, cauliflower, grilled chicken, and homemade balsamic dressing. Before dinner I had green tea and after dinner, I replaced my usual dessert with a cup of coffee. It’s been four days without sugar and I’m not even craving it!
On day one, I went to the grocery store to pick up some things. I bought eggs, organic chicken, cucumbers, zucchini, fish oil supplements, tons of broccoli, tea, and chicken broth. I already had some other things in the fridge, but this was just to add to it.
I’ve been drinking 4-6 cups of hot tea a day with 8 glasses of water a day.
At home, I have been doing Jillian Michaels. Who doesn’t love free youtube workouts?
It’s hard to enjoy a salad without a good and healthy dressing!
This is an entire bag of italian lettuce tossed in light olive oil with pepper and parmesan cheese! I had this salad with a cup of chicken broth and broccoli.
Followed by tea and water!
This has been my substitute dessert. If you like anything tropical or coconut, you’ll love love love these! I was kind of thrown off that they looked nothing like the display on the box, but the taste made up for it.
Night is my weakness. I always feel like I need something to eat. It’s the time of night I go for the chocolate chips, ice cream or something salty. I’ve been replacing my night time sweet tooth with one cup of salted caramel skinny pop and a cup of decaf tea. This has definitely been working. I also don’t watch tv in the living room at night anymore, I go up to my room and watch it. Out of site, out of mind! It’s going to take way too much effort to go all the way downstairs to get something unhealthy.
My doctor told me to get GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil 1500 mg
supplements before starting this challenge. He said I need to make sure I’m getting all the essential fats.
I made a quick broccoli chicken soup for dinner on the first night. I boiled chicken in broth, drained the chicken and diced it up, and then boiled it in fresh broth. I added broccoli, garlic powder, sea salt, olive oil, minced onion, and black pepper! I don’t really know how much I used, but just go buy your taste buds!
This has been the chicken I’ve been using!
For breakfast one of the days, I made egg whites, 1 egg, broccoli, chicken, and ham scramble. I also added a little garlic! That came to 34g protein!
For snacks, I eat a serving of oatmeal and tea!
I’ve been eating a lot of hard boiled eggs as well. They’re good for protein and healthy fats.
I’ve been hooked onTazo Tea
and it’s the best brand I’ve ever had! The passion is my favorite.
This is what I’ve been using as my coffee creamer!
I found the organic root beer at Harris Teeter and bought it! I haven’ tried it yet, but I’ll let you know!
Today for lunch I had a salad with olive oil, croutons, boiled eggs, and parmesan. I also had a cup of healthy choice soup.
I’ve also cut my fruit back. (not cutting out, cutting back) I eat a banana before the gym and try to keep it at that. I used to eat cups and cups of fruit everyday and there is such a thing as too much fruit.
I’ll keep you all updated on my 20 day challenge!
Keep it up girl, you’re doing great!!
thanks!!!
I would love to know the flavor of Healthy Choice soup – it looks SO GOOD. Looks like you’re doing a great job! Keep it up 🙂
Thanks!! It’s the chicken tortilla!
They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so why not go for 21 days? 🙂
And I bet your Erin condren package sure helps you keep on top of things and get motivated to do all that you do on this challenge.
ahhh who is “they?” 😉 I’m going to stick with this for a while and its going to be even easier in the DR!
“They” are specialists dealing with addiction issues.
I LOVE the Tazo Passion tea as well. Its really good with the juice from 1/2 a lemon squeezed in!
yes yes yes! love adding lemon!
Blogilates definitely is the best youtube workout!
But you have no idea what clean eating is about, do you? Cutting back fruits but eating meat?! WTF!
As I said, clean eating is a term used differently and to me it’s cleaning up my eating habits. I see nothing wrong with organic meat. Fruit is great too but I’m just limiting my sugar.
Meat can be clean as long as you choose the right one. Lean and white meats are perfectly healthy for you. Eating protein is actually very beneficial if you want to get leaner. Eating sugar vs. eating protein.
I am going to have to agree with Tara. The definition of clean eating is different for everyone. To me clean eating is eating fruits, veggies, whole wheat breads and chicken (I don’t eat beef, pork or fish because, well, I just don’t like). Eating clean to me is also getting rid of the added sugars and processed food.
oops sorry. I said Tara instead of Taralynn.
people call me tara too 🙂
Hi Tara 🙂
Please tell me the reason why you think meat is “clean eating”? 🙂
Clean eating is so subjective. One persons “clean” is another persons “dirty.” This is her blog, so if you dont like it don’t read it!
What is wrong with you? Why so rude?
I work with a physician who has been studying meat eating for over 40 years (not just some random person’s opinion on the Internet). He has many published studies showing that meat eating leads to higher levels of inflammation in the body. This can cause autoimmune diseases, cancers, etc. I ate meat most of my life and realized after seeing all of this research that it is awful for you. And anytime you get it in a restaurant it’s from a factory farm filled with antibiotics. Not exactly “clean eating.” A bit of research on plant based proteins will tell you that.
Good luck for your challenge, but it’s a real good start!I was wondering: what is inside the “healthy choice soup” on the last pic?
Great blog post. I’m going Paleo next month, really for no reason but to support my husband who wants to lose some weight and get in better shape. I eat very healthy and go to the gym 5 days a week but I know it’ll be hard to give up sugar.
Keep us posted how it goes, as well as when you head down to Puerto Plata 🙂
xo
Guuurlll!!
Look @ you! You have inspired me! I am going to start a challenge tomorrow! I have been eating out too much and i just need a kick start and this is the perfect eye opener!
You need to try Yogi brand tea. Peach Detox is my favorite, other noteworthy Egyptian licorice (doesn’t taste anything like licorice), detox, & ginger.
get it guuurll! xo
ET
I’m with ya! Blueberry Green Tea Slim Life from Yogi is my absolute tops, although I love the Throat Comfort as well 🙂
I’m with ya on the clean eating approach. Besides who defines clean? To some people salty foods are not clean due to the reaction in their body, same with meat or dairy in others. It’s a very personal approach and you’re doing what is best for you. It looks like a great few days full of good filling food and adequate hydration which is super important!
It blows my mind that even though you are kind enough to share with us, giving information and inspiration, people still criticize you. I think your plan sounds great! I recently started counting my macros and it has helped me so much, focusing on getting good things my body needs rather than worrying about a too low calorie restriction. There are tons of people who hate on that when they don’t understand it. I suppose there are always going to be people who don’t understand our specific choices but we know whats best for us! Have fun on your trip too, that sounds amazing.
I just had a bunch of friends that went to the DR for a month as a study abroad/immersion trip. BOY did it look amazing!! I am really excited for you, and interested to learn more about what you will be doing!
Honest Fizz is the BEST! Not a huge soda drinker, but it is light and refreshing instead of overly sweet tasting! 🙂
Taralynn,
That’s awesome! Now, how exactly did you find out about this thing in the Dominican Republic? Is it like a special invitation thing, or is it just a cool trip you booked? I would love to know more!
ps- you know how you told me I had to go to Biltmore since I live so close? Well, my mother-in-law took me yesterday! I was so excited! I really enjoyed it! Was the Downton Abby display there when you went?
So Delicious coconut creamer? Healthy Choice soup? Not clean eating. I have to be a “clean eater” because I have an extremely sensitive digestive system, and clean actually means “less/ pure ingredients”, not “calorie restriction”.
Also, how much do taste buds cost?
Just incase you decided to skip my text and rush to the bottom and make a nasty comment per usual.
“Clean eating to me is just another way to say “cleaning up my diet.” I’ll be honest. I’ve been so bad at eating clean. Sure, I’ve been ordering salads, eating fresh fruit, oatmeal, protein, and proteins, but I’ve also been drinking wine, eating lots of chocolate, and dining out at restaurants. I’ve decided to clean up my diet the best I can. “
God forbid you negative people try and lift others up and cheer them on instead of trying to pick out what “they’re not doing exactly right”. Goodness gracious people lets all be positive and encouraging human beings!!!
We have the same way of thinking when it comes to clean eating! I am also trying to cut back on fruit (it’s been hard because of all the good sales) so I feel your pain. It helps me think of them as a dessert and they definitely taste that way if you are cutting back sugar! Love your blog, I enjoy reading your posts!
I love this post. As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder, although different from yours, this seems like such great advice to clean up your diet but not develop disordered eating habits, which we both know are so easy to develop. Thank you for showing there can happy and healthy eating post-ED.
This is so inspiring and motivating! After Christmas I have also been trying to get back to clean eating. The beginning is the hardest. I agree that drinking tea is great as it fills you up, and herbal tea is often sweet and feels like a treat! Keep up the good work 🙂
Cami
Camelldalynn.com
Awesome! Thanks for the inspiration. I am definitely needing to clean up my eating habits as well. I am a new teacher, so I sometimes feel like I just don’t have time to eat as well as I used too. I’m done with the excuses. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to share with your readers! It is great motivation.
🙂
Keep doing what you’re doing. Obviously people are not taking time to even read what you write-they just jump to conclusions.
is everyone’s constant 2 cents as to what someone can be doing even better always required? We now have a society of know but alls and advice givers. is everyone certified and trained to be giving all this “better advice”? How about instead do what you feel is necessary in your own world and just give someone a pat on the back for their own efforts and choices?
agree 100% God forbid people try and lift others up and cheer them on instead of trying to pick out what “they’re not doing exactly right”. Goodness gracious people lets all be positive and encouraging human beings!!!
You go girl!
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Why did you drain your chicken and cook it in fresh broth when you made that quick soup? Any good benefit other than throwing out any trace of fat?
Great inspiration!! Thks~ 🙂
I’m sooo interested in your fit trip. Where do I find out more detail for it in Dominican Republic? Hope to reply soon..;))
Taralynn-
I really enjoy reading your blog, I find your adventures lovely. Keep your positive spirit and ignore the negativity that some always need to spread. Everyday is a new learning experience and that only makes one better! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thank you!:) xo
You should write down what you’re doing so i can follow you.
Good for you. Keep doing what works for you. Everyone has different definitions of “clean” and different ways to accomplish their goals. Keep your head up and keep inspiring others! 🙂
I love jillian micheals i bought her 30 day shred and it was awesome!!!! Today i bought her 7 day shred and i cant wait to try it out tomorrow! Her dvds are definetly worth buying and the way she speaks and motivates uakes u want to work out
I wish netflix would start a fitness section!! Imagine having all the videos on that instead of youtube!? ahhh
May be a silly question…..I am trying to get “into” hot tea. I’ve never really enjoyed it before. I’ve heard great things about the Tazo brand teas. Is there anything you put in the tea, or just drink it by itself?
Btw- you are such an inspiration!!
You make it look like its so easy, I want to start eating clean like you, i want to try it for a month but its so hard to start, any advice?
PS: I LOVE your site, thank you so much for sharing