FINAL REVIEW

Three weeks over.

Why were your goals important to you? 

My goals were what I felt needed to be focused on. Especially the eating out parts whether a fast food chain or a restaurant, I was eating out a lot. It was hard for me because I am so use to being at work and easily ordering food, and this also played into my eating when bored rule. When it was dead at work, I would usually turn to eating because it was something to do. I was very surprised at the fact that I didn't cave at work, however this made me put aside time to prep for meals. This was the same with drinking pop, we get free pop at work and when it gets busy sometimes I feel like I need to turn to pop for the bit of a sugar rush and because I dont want to go behind the bar when its busy to pour myself a glass of water. Overall I think I did extremely well with my no pop rule.

Slip ups?

Were there slip ups? Yes. I got lazy a couple of times and didn't make myself a lunch because I thought "oh ill make it in the morning" and when morning came I thought "Oh i dont have the time anymore" and then instead of coming home for lunch I just went out. Not a good idea on my part. Or one morning the blender was in the dishwasher and instead of bringing it out and washing it I was like Nah ill just skip breakfast or buy a muffin (both times I ended up buying the muffin). The biggest slip ups were my iced coffees from tim hortons. What can I say? They're a weakness. As well as my birthday weekend because my birthday seemed like a good excuse. How can these be prevented though. For me, having somebody that pushes me, not a friend who simply says "No, Dont eat it" the best way for me is to have almost a competition. If I paired up with a friend and we said "Okay who ever buys food first owes the other $20 bucks" I would be avoiding all restaurants and fast food chains. Or if I had a friend (which i do Ryan Ewart) who criticizes me everytime I do cheat and makes it sound like this whole eating change is a joke then I push myself to prove him wrong.

totally off topic but I had to laugh because Ryan just texted me saying and I quote "Ashley I just saw your mom on a run with your dog... you should do that. " This sort of thing makes me want to prove him that I do work out so I usually go to the gym after a snide comment like that.

Anyways, I was expecting a lot more slip ups then what I had to be honest. And im extremely proud that I didnt slip up more then I did.

Effect on family 

My mom and I always ate the healthiest in my family. To the point where if we did a chicken stir fry we would have to do something else for the boys because it just "wasn't there thing". After my mom heard about how bad the deli meat was, she will now only buy the Gluten and Preservative free deli meat. I thought my brother and dad would have a lot of complaints about this change because we eat a lot of sandwiches. To my surprise they went a long with it and wont either regular deli meat. When it came to smoothies however my dad still wont drink them because its not a "real" meal. My brother on the other hand will join me in the morning for a smoothie, so one of us will make enough for the both. If he's running late I will and vice versa. They might be small changes but everyone counts right.

Future.... 

I think this has helped me greatly. I feel with eating healthier Im not as tired, and can sleep better at night (so long as the iced coffees aren't after dinner time). Instead of reaching for a dessert after dinner Ive been having a homemade yogurt parfait which Im absolutely in love with. I have also realized how much money I have been saving with not buying as much food for lunch or at work. Im walking away with more tips at the end of the night and not dipping into my bank account for lunch money. My mom was very proud of the fact that I was making more time for meal prep and actually having something to eat for breakfast other then the caf muffins ( she wasn't a fan). All in all i believe that this project has been a great way to show me that even though it seems easier to go out and buy food, it means I have to work harder in the long run because that good is going straight to the gut.

RULES

OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT THREE WEEKS THESE ARE THE RULES TO LIVE BY FOR MY "HEALTHY EATING CHANGE".

1. Don't call this a diet, its not a "Diet" or a "Cleanse". It's simply a change of lifestyle that I'm trying to live by for a healthier life.
2. No eating out of boredom. If bored simply go on a walk, or do homework, you want to be productive not end up pudgy.
3. NO RESTAURANT FOOD! It will be allowed for the birthday celebrations, but that is it. No eating from work when closing or getting off shift and going with the co-workers to grab a coffee and bite to eat. Be strong.
4. No fast food, no more midnight trips to Mcdonalds with friends, try to avoid Mcdonalds all together.
5. No white breads. No whole wheat either, we are going for whole grain here, if theres a bread to eat thats the one.
6. Eat breakfast. It really is the most important meal of the day and it shouldn't take you 18 years to realize this.
7. No pop, or sugary drinks. 
8. Hey remember back in elementary school when you packed a lunch? Yeah, do that again. No excuses. 
9. No "crap" dinner (KD) or any other kind of pre made meal. Thats just gross
10. Stay away from too many preservatives, organic is the way to go.

Three weeks... How hard can it be?

Saturday April 26th

DAY ONE:

Breakfast: 
- Scrambled egg (No milk added) with cheddar
- Multigrain Toast with Homemade strawberry jam
- Coffee with milk

Lunch: 
- Turkey with no preservatives on multigrain bread with lettuce
- Snap peas

Dinner: 
- Home made Pasta Sauce with Whole grain noodles.
- Tossed Salad with oil and vinegar

Snacks: 
 - Frozen berries in Vanilla yogurt with Organic granola
- Apple x2
- More snap peas

Sunday April 27th

DAY TWO:

Breakfast: (Sunday family breakfast)
- Omelette with Cheddar and preservative free ham
- Coffee with milk

Lunch: 
- Turkey with no preservatives on multigrain bread with lettuce

Dinner: 
- Home made chilli ( ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, onions, celery, black beans, chili powder)

Snacks: 
 - Iced coffee
- Snap peas
- Apple

Monday April 28th

DAY THREE

Breakfast: 
-Smoothie (yogurt, peanut butter, frozen berries, milk,, banana)

Lunch
- Salad (Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, head lettuce, and oil and vinegar dressing) 

Dinner:
- Sandwhich....same as before

Snacks: 
- Yogurt parfait again...

Tuesday April 29th

DAY FOUR: 

Breakfast: 
-Smoothie

Lunch: 
- Chicken wrap (whole grain wrap with chicken and lettuce and mayo)
- Coffee with two milk

Dinner: 
- Stir fry on whole grain rice

At this point in time ive been having a yogurt parfait every night

Snacks: 
-Yogurt Parfait

Wednesday April 30th

DAY FIVE: 

Breakfast: 
-Smoothie

Lunch: 
- Leftover stir fry

Dinner: 
- Homemade pasta with whole grain noodles again

Snacks: 
- Apple x2
- Yogurt Parfait