It is unbelievable the changes I have made and have been willing to make! I am so happy right now!

My goal has always been to eat healthy. And I pretty much know about nutrition, but the clean eating and whole foods is what has intrigued me. I didn't want to change my eating plans to eat low fat potato chips or sugar free desserts or any "diet" food. I want this journey to be life long! At 5 feet tall I really have to make the food count.

Yes, I Cathy, had steel cut oats for lunch with 1/4 teaspoon honey, flaxseed, chia and strawberries. And it tasted GOOD! Very crunchy and satisfying.

Wow...thank you everyone for your support and encouragement!

Yay you!!

I had always wanted to eat healthy and be healthy but never took the time to put myself first. I'd grab fastfood and tell myself "this one xtra double cheesy cheese burger isn't going to hurt. I'll start getting healthy tomorrow!"
I have had an off again, on again relationship with wanting to get healthy but made a commitment Dec. 26 to dedicate myself to ME.

Putting one's self first does a body good! Congrats to you!

That is awesome. I'm trying to think in healthy terms too. Whole grains, more fruits and veggies...more water.

My lunch was super yummy too! I had 2 cups of baby spinach, 2 tbs raisins, 2 tbs toasted and lightly salted slivered pecans, 1/4 blue cheese crumbles and 1 cooked sliced chilled chicken breast, tossed all together and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. I had two office mates come to ask what kind of yummy goodness I was up to as they could smell it from their cubes, too!

I don't even know what flaxseed and chia are! ...I still have so much to learn.

Congrats on having a healthy lunch and liking it - that's wonderful!

you got me on chia (other than the pet, I'm lost). congrats on the changes!oats, sounds really good.

had sweet potato french fries, asparagus and chicken breast for dinner. I can remember having doritos and a bottle of beer for din din in the old days. yikes. so so glad I changed that around!

Awwww, congrats! That's awesome that you've discovered the joy of eating clean. You're right about this being a lifestyle change, not just a temporary 'diet.' It has been such a surprise the difference 'eating clean' has made in my life...more energy, better skin, less moody, ... . Eating healthy isn't as horrible as I imagined, in fact this is the best I've felt in years! Way to go on your progress and keep up the great work!!!

Oh, that sounds so good. I really need to make salads again but am at loss for ideas.

Congrats! Doesn't it feel great?!

I found this link on chia seeds because I didn't know what it was either
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/chia.html

I just can't get oatmeal down. It's the texture/consistency I think. But good for you for eating so healthy! Today I had a baked sweet potato, some parmesan scallops and a salad. Good stuff!

Yes! Exactly...it isn't horrible at all! I feel GREAT!

One thing that sticks in my mind is something I read on here recently...the idea that I have NEVER felt bad or had regrets because I DIDN'T eat something! It is kind of a double negative...I wish I could make it sound as positive as it is!!

Thank you everyone for your "atta-gurls"

Thank you for this information! I didn't know they were from the "chia pets" Oh how funny! I read about them in an eating clean book and when I was at the store I saw them and decided to buy them. They are very crunchy and kind of have a meal after a meal because a seed with come out of me teeth... a lot like poppy seeds.

I feel that way about a lot of my food - I love, love, love the big salad I have everyday for lunch. And last night, I made zucchini marinara (sauteed zucchini, onion and garlic and then simmered in marinara sauce for a while- SOOOOO good).

It is so fantastic to me that we are learning (or re-learning) that there is all this wonderful, good-for-us, healthy food out there that we got to enjoy but still lose/maintain weight.