Weigh In and Adventures in Tropical Shakeology

I finally got my Tropical Shakeology in Thursday and I was so extremely excited to get to try it. 

Friday morning I blended up a smoothie that was Tropical Shakeology with the Shakeology Fiber Boost, V8 Strawberry Banana Fusion, a frozen mixed berry blend (strawberries, bananas and peaches) and ice cubes.

Tropical: Take 1! Strawberry Banana!

It was super tasty and almost overly filling!  Towards the bottom there was a bit of a gritty taste/mouth feel but I was overall very pleased! So yummy, yummy!

Today I went back and did another Shakeology concoction that was similar but even better!

Tropical: Take 2 - Cranberry Yums!!

Tropical Shakeology, Shakeology Fiber Boost, V8 Cranberry Blackberry, Dole Mixed Berries with Cranberries and ice. It's delicious and filling and I blended it extra long and it's far less gritty than the first round. 

I can't wait to try some more creative recipes to see what other tasty things I can enjoy for breakfast!

Today was also weigh in day and I weighed in at exactly 313 pounds.  That's 2.8 pounds down from last week.  The weekend after next I'll do measurements and pictures too and I'm nervous and excited too.  Right now I'm down a little more than 7 pounds in 2 weeks so I think it'll be a good weigh in/measurement/picture experience. 

I'm just so excited to have found something to add in to my weight loss routine that seems to really be helping. 

I gave up bread for Lent...

... and it 's one of the hardest things I've ever done.

It's been years since I observed Lent and I wanted to choose to give up something that I felt would be difficult and something that would really make me consider all the gifts I have on a daily basis.

Bread, biscuits, rolls, buns, garlic bread, breadsticks, bagels, muffins - warm and fresh out of the oven, they all evoke memories of family gatherings, of meals with friends.  I have a very emotional connection to bread and I guess it's even more evident now that I'm avoiding it all together.

It's hard to think about going places I have fond memories of without having the option to nom on their signature bread, or sandwich bread, or even just breadsticks! The perfect compliment to a good shared meal.

I guess I really adhere to the idea of "breaking bread" with someone.  Last night, Sarah and I went out to dinner and I had to say no to warm bread at the Italian place.  The agony! Warm, crusty, cheesy garlic bread? Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie! 

I know it's only for 40 days but I really feel that I am going to struggle extremely hard with this task.  I would do just about anything for a biscuit at this point! I guess that's the point, right? 

I think the only thing harder to give up would have been if I said no potatoes. I think it's probably the only things I have stronger ties to than bread.  All of my comfort foods have potatoes or bread as a primary component.   

I know, like anything else, the first few days are going to be the hardest.  I've been told that on a low carb diet you actually don't even think about the carbs after about 10 days... we'll see if I feel that way next Wednesday. 

We'll see how this goes.  It's an interesting experiment in self control, self discipline.