One Month of Progress

So last month, around this time, I posted a transformation pic of me when I was heavier. I thought I'd post a month to month transformation picture this time. So, in one month, I've lost a total of 14.3 lbs and a total of 11 inches all over my body.

I can't believe how much I've changed in a matter of a month. If I can keep at this pace, I will for sure reach my goal by the end of this year, which means, I will then start studying to become a personal trainer. I've been super passionate about changing my lifestyle and fitness, and to be able to help people do the same will be something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life.

It maybe a slow process and it may be a long process, but I know that I will reach my goals!

I will be posting an amazing transformation picture of myself on Tuesday on my Instagram, so if you want to see it, he sure to follow me: www.instagram.com/ohitzlilia

Plain Old Diet & Exercise will do the Trick

So, I've had a lot of people recently walk up to me at the gym and ask what I'm doing to loose weight. Most of them assume that I'm taking some sort of supplement, and you know what, it's a great feeling to tell them, "NO, I'm just exercising and eating paleo." You should see some of the shocked looks that I get. It's really that simple when it comes to loosing weight.

I've been able to educate people on paleo, and I totally swear by it. I've been heavy all my life, and trust me, I've tried everything, and in the end, the one thing that I thought would never work, (diet and exercise) totally did. Yes, it takes time, yes you have to be dedicated, but if you want results, you have to do what you have to do.

Luckily, I have had an opportunity to really dedicate myself to go to the gym, but working out is only 20% of what you need to do to loose weight, the other 80% starts in the kitchen!

The hard part isn't getting off your butt and getting to the gym, the hard part is being conscious of what you are putting into your body. Don't think of food as something to just fill you up, think of it as fuel you need to keep going. The more natural and clean you eat, the better your body will feel in the long run. Yes, it takes getting use to, yes there will be temptations but, you can do it. If I can, you totally can.

I am by no means saying that paleo should be the way to go for you. Just try out a few different diets, and see which one you can maintain. Paleo was definitely a big decision for me, I loved eating Greek yogurt. It was my total go to after working out snack, but I wanted more results, so I decided to go hardcore paleo, and it has worked for me so far. I know how hard it can be to loose weight, and when any new weight loss fad comes around, I use to jump on the bandwagon no matter how crazy sounding it was.

I finally realized, I needed to change my lifestyle, not go on a diet. The reason is when you go on a diet, its short term. Once you are off that diet, more than likely, you will gain weight back if not more than what you lost. So, getting in the mindset of changing my lifestyle has really helped me in changing my eating habits.

Meal prep, yes or no?

So, I think one of the main reasons why I have been so successful in my weight loss so far is because I do meal prep once a week for the whole week. Yes, it's time consuming, but in the end it's totally worth it. Why do I do it? Well, let me tell you.

Reason #1 why I meal prep: I know what's going into my food. I know exactly how my food is being cooked, and this is important when you are on something that has restrictions like paleo. Not to say that eating out is bad, I have gone out to eat a few times since I've started paleo, I just make sure if where I am going has options for me. If not, I suggest a place to my friends that does.

Reason #2 why I meal prep: It saves money. Who doesn't need to save money these days? What I usually do is before I grocery shop for the week, I look at the weekly circulars that come in the mail and see what's on sale. Based on that, will be my deciding factor of what my meals for the week will be. By doing this, you aren't bored with the same food since the stuff that is on sale varies weekly.

Reason #3 why I meal prep: It keeps me from giving into temptation. It's so much easier to just grab something fast to eat when you've had a long day and the last thing you want to do is cook. However, if you sacrifice a few hours out of Saturday or Sunday to cook your meals for the week, you will already have food waiting for you and won't be tempted to eat out.

There are a lot of options these days online for recipes. It even helps when you can get a friend on board with you and you guys can cook together. My cousin and I have been doing this on and off since I've started paleo, and not only do we get to make healthy delicious food, we get to spend quality time together.

If you are worried about cooking, don't be. It's definitely a creative outlet for me. I'm one of those cooks who cook without recipes. I have the luck of just being able to throw some stuff together and it come out good. But, if you aren't like that, no worries, just look up some recipes online. If you can read, you can cook! Plus once you get the hang of cooking, it gets easier.

Paleo Pot Roast

Here is the recipe to the pot roast I made in a crock pot:

Paleo Pot Roast

Ingredients:

- 1 cup low sodium chicken stock (you can use beef stock if you want)

-  2-3 lb. beef roast (chuck or shoulder works best)

- Sea salt and ground black pepper (I would use both liberally)

- 5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped in half (You also use 1 lb of baby carrots)

- 1/2 medium onion, sliced

- 3 garlic cloves, chopped (this is for the outside) 

- Optional- you can cut slits into the roast and put cloves of garlic all over (This gives it more flavor)

Directions:

1. Season the roast generously with sea salt and ground black pepper.

2. Place the carrots in the bottom of the crock pot, pour in the broth, place the roast on top of the carrots and then place the sliced onions and the chopped cloves on top of the roast. Allow the roast to cook on low for 6-8 hours. 

3. Once the roast has cooked for the allotted time, remove the roast from the crock pot onto a platter. You can surround the roast with the carrots and onions from the crock pot. You can pour some of the remaining liquid over the meat and serve.

Officially on Paleo for 2 months

So, I can't believe that it's been two months since I've started paleo, and I can't be any happier, and I am never going back to the way I use to eat. I've seen some great results and I have not gotten bored at all so far. When I first started paleo, I was sure with all diets that I've been on in the past that I would hate it, get bored fast and want to cheat.

Coming up on two months it's been the total opposite and I am going strong. I totally don't feel like I am depriving myself at all. There are so many different paleo friendly recipes, that you can't get bored, and I have yet to WANT a cheat meal or snack. A lot of my friends can vouch for me that my will power to saying no to temptation is amazing.

I've been to a few parties over these past two months and there have been lots of foods there that I would usually over-indulge in but was able to just say no and move on. It's totally a great feeling. I'm pretty proud of myself for having such great will power.

I've also been approached at the gym a few times recently with people asking me what I am doing to loose weight. My answer, good ole exercise and paleo. Of course, a lot of them have never heard of it, so I tell them the basics. In case you are wondering what it's all about, here is a link to my Pinterest Board on Paleo: http://pinterest.com/ohitzlilia/paleo-101/. I've pinned some great info on there.

I am going to start posting recipes that are amazing that I've come across thus far. Some of my faves, have been almond meal and coconut crusted chicken, paleo spaghetti, chick pot pie (it was amazing!), paleo pumpkin bread, paleo chocolate chip cookies, and lots more. :)

So, if you have hit a plateau in loosing weight, want to change your eating habits, want to detox your body from all those nasty processed foods, I totally recommend paleo!