The Starting Line

Day #1 of The 30 Clean‘s Spring Break Challenge is coming to an end!

“The 30 Clean™ is a 30-day clean eating challenge where participants eliminate the main food culprits causing systematic inflammation, skin problems, depression, bloat, and weight retention. For 30 days participants focus on eating only the REAL, WHOLE foods our bodies were meant to digest.”

There’s people all over the country that are participating. A group of about 40 clients and teachers from Pure Barre Lake Norman have decided to embark on the adventure together. We share all sorts of recipes, thoughts and questions on a private board that is run by a 30 Clean Coach and a Health Advisor.

I didn’t make it to the grocery store yesterday – luckily I had foods that were compliant that I could eat for breakfast.

Spinach, broccoli and eggs with red pepper, salt & pepper. Aloha Berry Greens, Pineapple, Peaches & Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.

I made a salad at Whole Foods for lunch…

…and then it was on my way to Trader Joe’s for my first run through of goodies.

Looks a little different than when I normally go:

Taste the Rainbow.

I plan on checking in with y’all at the half way mark and then at the end. I’m sure there will be some mention of it over the next month or so too…since it’s all I will be thinking about – just kidding (sort of).

This morning we received an email asking, “What is YOUR motivation for 30 days of clean, real, unaltered food? What is driving YOU to succeed?”

Here is my MOTIVATION:

1. You – If I can do this, so can you. I love sugar, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, french fries, YOU NAME IT. When I complete this, I’ll be able to tell people how great of a program it is.
2. My fellow challengers – Just when I thought that the clients at Pure Barre couldn’t inspire me anymore… well look at ’em! You women are really so great. I could write a whole post about you all (oh, wait, I already have!) When I taught the class yesterday, I legit had tears in my eyes.
3. My boyfriend – I really do love to cook. I’m just not good at planning stuff out. I know what I should and shouldn’t eat, but clearly do not always make the best choices. I know this will be great for the both of us!
4. Me – Sounds selfish, right? You bet! When I cut out sugar for 10 days I noticed such a difference in my body – energy level, bloating, sleeping habits… Cutting out added sugars (in the many forms that it exists), gluten, dairy, grains, soy AND corn – I can’t even imagine how wonderful I will feel!
5. Challenge – If it was EASY, every one would do it. 😉

Here are a dozen quotes to *inspire* all of my fellow challengers and ANYONE looking for a little extra inspiration today. to ANY part of life. Enjoy!

“You don’t really deserve it until you are willing to sacrifice for it…Anything worth having requires a process, and most people commit to the process right up until it’s time to sacrifice, then they quit. You’ve come too far to quit, be willing to do whatever is necessary to earn everything you say you deserve.” – Rob Hill Sr.

“You are meant to fight. When you are sick, your body fights for its right to function. When you hold your breath, your body fights for its right to breathe. There are billions of tiny events—from the surface of your skin, down to the very cells of your body—that have to happen in order for you to be simply sitting here today. If your most minuscule parts haven’t given up yet, Why should you?”

“Be mindful of what you put in your body; in your mind. We not only consume the food that we eat, but also the thoughts, images, and energy we surround ourselves with. Choose wisely.” – The Blissful Blog

“For most of us the problem isn’t that we aim too high and fail – it’s just the opposite – we aim too low and succeed.” – Ken Robinson

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Sean Combs (P.Diddy)

“People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves.” – Paulo Coelho

“Even if you know what’s coming, you’re never prepared for how it feels.” – Natalie Standiford

“There is nothing in this world that can trouble you as much as your own thoughts.”

“Don’t trust the beginnings, truth is told in the last moments.” – Ahlam Mosteghanemi

“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided… The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure that as soon as you set them, you immediately begin to create momentum. The most important rules that I ever adopted to help me in achieving my goals were those I learned from a very successful man who taught me to first write down the goal, and then to never leave the site of setting a goal without first taking some form of positive action toward its attainment.” – Tony Robbins

“There’s no one to stop you but yourself.” – Dave Thomas

“For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent. Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards… If you don’t set a baseline standard for what you’ll accept in life, you’ll find it’s easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that’s far below what you deserve… Whatever happens, take responsibility… The only thing that’s keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself.” – Tony Robbins

 What gives you motivation? Do you eat clean or have you done a similar program before?