Leeks

I am on day 3 of my 12 day REFUEL cleanse with Coach Crystal Bold. It's going great and nothing has been too extreme or crazy for me. I have no doubt it helped that I weened myself off caffeine the past 3 weeks so now going completely caffeine free is not bad at all. The biggest challenge I have run into is learning to cook a few new vegetables-- beets and artichokes to be exact. Overall, the meals are right in line with how I eat through out the week. I am loading up on green leafy vegetables; adding beets, leeks, and artichokes to my diet; making sure all vegetables are organic, and all meat/fish is grass-fed or wild. Fats are limited to avocado, coconut oil, and olive oil. Lastly, all meals are to be cooked at home and no alcohol. Besides learning to cook a few new vegetables, not being able to go out to eat this weekend or grab a drink will be my biggest challenge, but let's be serious, for 12 days anyone can do anything.

My next few posts will provide information on some of my food choices and why they are healthy for you. Today is all about Leeks!

I found amazing tasting leeks at the Farmer's Market this past Saturday. I simply cut them up and add them to the skillet with whatever meat I am cooking. I literally have cooked the entire stalk. I actually prefer them to onions because they're not as strong and pungent and have a slight sweet taste to them. Delish!

5 Benefits of Leeks:

1. Protects the linings of blood vessels
2. Helps cleanse the liver
3. Provides folate
4. Functions as an antioxidant
5. Decreases risk of anti-inflammatory diseases

MICHEL: 2012 Succss Story

I have had the privilige of coaching Michel for 3+ years now. I will never forget the first time she showed up to class and was so nervous. The warm up was challenging for her and the thought of doing burpees seemed mind boggling. Little did she know that her life would change forever. Here she is now as a 2012 Relentless Boot Camp Success Story.

Meet Michel!! Her story is below---

Prior to boot camp, I was pretty much at my all time heaviest, and I was eating and drinking to make myself feel better.  I felt weak and sluggish both physically and mentally.  I was emotionally disconnected from friends and family because I just wasn’t happy. I kept saying I was not in a good place mentally as a crutch to not commit to any fitness endeavor.  The first thing I noticed after joining boot camps was the mental clarity. It’s amazing how still my mind is when I’m concentrating on my body and that kettlebell—best stress relief ever. I was able to focus at work; I wasn’t zoning out for long periods of time.  I was not angry anymore, and I actually woke up feeling happy for the first time in months.  I was so impressed with the emotional benefits that I decided to take it to the next level and I enrolled in Fuel 21.  I wanted to capitalize on the “high.”  I lost 13 lbs and 9 inches in 21 days and I felt amazing.  I committed to something that scared the crap out of me and I stuck with it, and to my own surprise, I loved it.  I truly felt that I could do anything.  I’ve never been happier and according to my latest blood work, I’ve never been healthier.

My new year’s resolution this year was to try new things and work on self love.  I enrolled in Coach Megan Parsons’s 5:30 am T/TH O’Henry class.  The first mental barrier broken was the “I can’t wake up that early to exercise” barrier.  I was a 3 to 4 time snooze hitter so that was a huge success for me. Next barrier down , the “I can’t do that’ barrier.”  That was the game changer for me.  I can do anything for 20 seconds.  I can do anything for 60 minutes.  I can do anything for 21 days.  I can do anything I set my mind to.  I know it’s not going to be easy but that makes the accomplishment that much sweeter.

I lost over 20lbs, 23 inches, dropped 6% body fat, and went from a size 12 to a size 8!

 

Michel's Success

BEFORE- Michel is on the far right

AFTER- Michel is on the far left

Michel started back in Athletic Training after taking off for over a year. She jumped right into Fuel 21 in March and lost 11 lbs, and then joined me with April 2012 programs. Michel came to class ready to work and to continue with the success she saw from only changing her eating habits. Since that time she has continued to see huge success. We did her 4 month body comp check in and the results are incredible!

Over 23 inches loss, down 22lbs, & lost 6% body fat

Michel writes--

Hi Meg,
I have to admit, I still can't believe my results.  23 lbs and 24
inches....it's like walking around with my kettle bell all day
long...OMG.

I've always been Team Food.  I love to eat so the thought of not being
able to eat whatever I wanted really freaked me out.  I knew I had to
think about this new lifestyle differently, I had to be positive about
the changes I was committed to make in my life.  It was a rough start
but once I really started believing in what I was doing, it got easier
and my attitude about it changed immediately.  (Seeing and feeling the
results after just a couple of weeks helped too, ha!)  I'm not
dieting, I'm not starving myself, I'm not limiting myself, I can eat
whatever I want to eat, I'm choosing to eat healthier and that choice
is empowering.

I've never felt better, slept better and had more energy.  I'm excited
and I can't wait to see what else I can do now that I know I can say
no to bread and cheese. ;). Holler!

Who's next???!!!!