Last year at this time, after completing my annual Whole 30 January eating reset, it dawned on me that this go-to, grain free, paleo eating lifestyle had me at a bit of a weight loss stall. I had lost my baby weight at this point and was at the exact weight I was 2 years earlier before my pregnancy, 147 pounds. I thought I knew everything about clean eating and what I was “supposed” to eat, but knowing what you are “supposed” to eat and actually eating it are two very different things.
30 Days to Healthy Living:
By April, after several pings from my blogger friend Stephanie at The Tangerine Desert, I decided it was time to try something new. I was gearing up for my wedding in June and really wasn’t happy with the post baby 147 body. Stephanie, along with blogging, has a very successful side hustle with Arbonne. After discussing the 30 Days to Healthy Living Program with her for a couple of months, I decided to stop acting like I knew everything about healthy eating and give it a shot.
The program is designed to clean your body of all the toxic crap we eat, and replace it with foods that fuel our bodies instead. Although this is generally the idea of detoxing, Arbonne gives you tools to make it easier to stay on track with a busy lifestyle. It eliminates dairy, gluten, soy, alcohol, added sugars and chemicals, and coffee. It provides probiotics, detox tea, daily fiber, and the most delicious vegan protein powder on the planet. There are also yummy fizz sticks to put in water water with vitamins and minerals when you need a pick up. It also provides coaching and a support system to help keep you on track.
A Typical Day on the Detox:
Morning:
A typical day starts off with a Digestion Plus probiotic, along with a cup of Arbonne’s Detox Tea. I then have a smoothie for breakfast with the vegan protein powder from Arbonne. Sometime during mid-morning, I usually have my first fizz stick, my favorite is blackberry. The fizz sticks are meant to help you with energy to get you through the morning or afternoon lull. It is an amazing coffee or soda replacement if you are trying to break either one of those habits. It also helps that they are quite tasty!
Mid-day:
For lunch I usually either have another smoothie or a healthy salad with as small portion of protein. During mid-afternoon, I have another fix stick to get me past the 3pm drag, and sometimes a healthy snack of nuts or veggies and hummus.
Evening:
Dinner usually consists of some kind of protein-vegetable combination, and often a small helping of gluten free grains. Ideally, I have finished dinner by 7pm and am able to fast overnight for 12-14 hours. In the evening before bed, when I would normally be looking for a snack or a glass of wine, I have another detox tea instead.
The Results:
The results from my first 30 days were amazing. I lost 10 pounds in the first month and another 5 by continuing the lifestyle. By the time my wedding rolled around last June, I was 132 pounds. The last time I weighed this was at least a decade ago! This is the first time I managed to lose 15 pounds in my entire life.
Other amazing side effects to this lifestyle includes healthy glowing skin, and boundless energy. Along with eating clean, I also strive to use products with natural ingredients for by skin so that I am living a clean lifestyle inside and out.
I find that even though I’m eating a little less, I am rarely truly hungry and I feel much better overall. My daily workouts are enhanced by this lifestyle. I’ve also found that I sleep better and am more motivated to get up and going in the morning.
I have far fewer headaches when I maintain this clean eating lifestyle than when I’m not. I used to get headaches with my menstrual cycle like clockwork. I find that when I’m committed to clean eating, even my periods are far less miserable!
Maintaining the Lifestyle:
Maintaining any disciplined eating regimen is hard for most people, myself included. I love food and wine. It is a big part of what brings me joy in life, especially when it involves friends and family. I also believe that occasional indulgences are key to living a balanced healthy life.
That being said, I find that this lifestyle works better for me than anything I’ve ever tried. I know that when I get into a period of overindulgence, I can go right back into this pattern and get on track in a few days. This gives me the confidence to indulge when I want, within reason, and not feel so guilty.
I try to follow this healthy eating program about 80-90% of the time. I like to live strictly during the week, and have my little indulgences on the weekends. I try to allow myself to indulge when it involves dining out, time with my family, or catching up with friends. This is where I will have a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza (preferably with gluten free or grain free crust), or a little dessert.
I find that replacing at least one, if not two meals a day with smoothies makes it much easier to stay on track. I get a balanced meal this way without a lot of time and effort.
What Is Arbonne?
You may have heard of Arbonne from your friendly neighborhood health fanatic stay at home mom… I get it. It’s another one of those “Network Marketing” things. However you feel about network marketing, I can tell you with confidence that Arbonne sells amazing product and has been key to my permanent lifestyle change in eating habits.
I am an independent consultant for Arbonne, to be honest, partly because I buy a lot of the products myself and I like the discount. I signed on because I truly believe in the product, and I love sharing what works for me with others. Arbonne has been around almost as long as I have been alive. They go to great lengths to make natural, botanical, products with science that works. Everything is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, cruelty free, and packaged in a way that is good for the planet. Throughout the almost year I’ve been using the product, I have continued be impressed with how they are constantly striving to develop even more superior products.
Tools I can’t live without:
Arbonne Nutrition Value Package:
To start the 30 days to healthy living cleanse, you will want to order the kit that has all the tools you need. In order to secure the best pricing, it makes sense to sign up as a preferred customer for $30. You will then be able to purchase the nutrition value package with everything you need at 40% off.
Daily Harvest:
This online weekly delivery service sells cups with amazing frozen smoothie ingredients on the planet. I have gotten creative with my smoothies over time, but I still use these almost daily because its everything you need in one cup. Just add almond milk and protein powder. They also make amazing bowls with all vegan and gluten free ingredients. I usually add some kind of meat or eggs to them so that they keep me full and make a complete meal.
Vital Proteins Collagen Powder:
This is a recent add to my smoothie regimen in the new year. I am forever on a mission to improve the state of my skin, hair, and nails… what woman isn’t? I have found that adding collagen to my diet is one way to do that. I try to get my daily collagen by using one scoop this with one scoop of Arbonne Protein and to my smoothies.
My Grocery Store Essentials:
Obviously every trip to the market is different, but these are a few of the things that I always have on hand:
- Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Fresh Spinach
- Frozen Fruit
- Avocado
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Applegate Farms Chicken Sausage
- Organic Ground Turkey
- Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
- Lemons
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Mikey’s Grain Free English Muffins
- Banza Chickpea Pasta
- No Sugar Added Tomato Sauce
- Canned Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Artichokes, White Beans
- Fresh Veggies – Mostly ones that can be roasted in Olive Oil and Sea Salt
For More Information:
If you are interested in learning more about Arbonne products and what to order, please email me. Should you choose to try this life changing journey, I will also coach you through your first 30 days and share all of my tips and tricks to staying on track with the plan.
For more information on the Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living Program, click on this link and use the password, TRANSFORMATION
For more on my daily eating, follow me on Instagram. I regularly put new ideas for meals, smoothies, and food substitutes in my story highlights.
Please know that I earn commission on links provided in this post. If you are planning to order items from the Arbonne website, please be sure you are using my consultant ID 24346011. Also note that I am not a dietitian, and that I am just sharing tips here that have worked for me. Thank you so much for your support!
