What's Eating Clean?

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Just a few months ago, I had no clue about eating clean! After lots of research, I've realized that "clean eating" is somewhat subjective and everyone has created their own meanings. To be honest, I am still learning and figuring out what works for me!

Basically, to me, eating clean is about:

• eliminating/reducing processed foods
• drinking a lot of water (like a gallon a day)
• eating 5-6 small meals every 2-4 hours
• meals consist of a lean protein + a complex carb + veggies (green, colorful ones) 
• eliminating sugar (<30 grams of naturally occurring sugars a day)

I try to eat organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables when we can afford to- it stinks that it's not in budget sometimes!

 I have some exceptions: 

• I use Stevia or Truvia as a regular sweetener (what Southern girl lives without sweet tea?) 
• Greek yogurt is my breakfast super pal
• I treat myself to avoid binges on junk food; For example, I like to keep dark chocolate in my freezer.
• I've recently removed "Whole Wheat" ingredients in the house that are considered clean- mainly whole wheat pasta, tortillas, etc. I realized that I never stay within serving size for those, and they tend to lead to binges on bad foods. 

Here are some great resources that I've used and/or had recommended to me: 

• www.heandsheeatclean.com
• Jamie Eason's 12 Week Trainer
• Tosca Reno's books (all of them :) ) 
• TLS Weightloss Solution (I hope to be a coach within the year) 

Keep a look out for more posts about what I eat! 

About Me

Hi Y'all!!

Although I'm sure you'll get your fill about me, I figured that it might be nice to have some background on who "Meggie" is.

I am:

• a teacher of middle school students with special needs 
• a wife of 3 years, dog mother to a gorgeous English pointer
• a cheerleading coach
• slightly OCD and very sarcastic 
• very fit-focused (now) 
• curly and sometimes level headed

I am not: 

• a perfect role model
• always a clean eater
• a good house keeper
• always put together

After all that, if y'all are still reading, it's important to know that I haven't always been fit focused. In fact, I was the opposite. I thought people that who went to the gym were CRAZY! I also thought that food was only for enjoyment, and soon enough, food was the only enjoyment I paid attention to. I quickly became super overweight- 207 pounds at my heaviest weighed (I'm sure I was heavier than that too-just refused to get on the scale) and pushing through a 20 in stretchy jeans. Worst part was, I hated myself too much to do anything about it. After a lot of motivation and inspiration from friends, I joined a weight-loss challenge at my doctor's office and was quickly on my way. I began eating as clean as I could figure out; it's still a learning curve, but an exciting one. After I lost the first 7 or so pounds, I joined Whitney, and her friend Paige, at their summer bootcamp class. ( I still have a love for stadium steps... ha!) I left that first class crying (I mean bawling, y'all, snotty nose and everything), but I promised myself that I would never be that fat again. 

That's now my mantra- I will never be this fat again. I say it everytime I work out (especially through cardio- my fave...not!) I am 50 pounds down from May 2013, and I will hopefully be editing that down soon enough! 

New Year Goals

As the new year is roaring to begin, everyone is thinking about their resolutions. Instead of resolutions, I am joining the TLS Resolution Revolution and creating goals instead. Just like our professional goals at school, these are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Bound.) I have two categories of goals: long-term and short-term. Since this is "Mostly About" me, I have included goals that aren't just weight loss related. 

Reasons

As we go into the Christmas break, I am reminded of reasons to further my healthy eating lifestyle. My aunt just passed away on Monday of complications due to diverticulosis, a digestive disease with an unknown cause that has correlations with a low-fiber diet.  My Mamaw died of similar issues, and my father has diverticulitis, a slightly less severe version, that can develop into diverticulosis. My step-mother, whom I call mom, has ALS (Lou Gehrig's) and can't do the things that I can. These people and memories are daily reminders of the blessings I have. I can move and make good food choices. I have the education, proof and means to have a good, healthy diet. Instead of focusing of being lazy, I need to appreciate that I have a choice to move or not to move- some people don't have the choice.

My mom- who now only weighs 90ish pounds due to ALS. 

My dad and I on my wedding day- both are clearly overweight ;) 

The Sparkle Effect

I am so proud! I, along with an amazing parapro and the support of my school, are starting a Sparkles cheerleading program at my middle school. You see, I coach the CMS cheerleading squad and I also teach special education, so we kinda mixed the two together to give my students an extra-curricular opportunity. 

The Sparkle Effect, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides grants, encouragement and training to this national movement to get students with special needs included in sports. We applied to be a part of their organization, and we got approved! We are the 115th squad in the nation. Along with that title, we also received a $1000 grant to Varsity Spiritwear for uniforms for the girls, a whole set of t-shirts for all of the girls and coaches, and they are going to fly a trainer out to us in January!  

I am truly so blessed to have this opportunity and to work at a school that encourages these opportunities. My administration is wonderfully supportive and the community is extremely receptive. I had a random woman stop me the other day to thank me for starting the squad. Tears!!