Officially Done

I am now officially done with the 28 day challenge.  I started the Saturday before February so yesterday was my last full day.  I have to say that I didn't follow the plan as strictly as I had hoped in the beginning.  That is to say, the exercise plan, but here is why.  I came into the 28-day plan with a mission to just get back to healthy habits.  I was not trying to drastically change who I was or lose weight.  But I stuck to the detox/food plan, and I loved it.  There were some confusing points for me, but I powered through them and feel great.  I am happily not intolerant of any foods and I am able to make healthy choices again (I had run off course during some major life changes, and was developing bad habits).

I felt the detox was not as much of a struggle as I thought it would be because the recipes were all great (with a few exceptions).  I didn't feel deprived of food, nourishment, or flavor.  I made Sunday my prep day (a habit I don't plan to lose because I love to cook and it's relaxing) and planned out at least one or two new recipes that I could make during the week.  Almond-crusted chicken breast, AMAZING!  Especially if the chicken is cold (it intensified the flavor), but I did add an extra garlic clove to the recipe : ).  And all the soups I tried were awesome.  I found myself trying ingredients that I never thought I would cook with for just myself, and loving them.  Fresh ginger...delicious! 100% buckwheat soba noodles, great alternative to pasta.  Breakfast Quinoa, a weird thought, that work great (I had this multiple times during the week). I have to say, I am still not a fan of thyme or fresh rosemary, but I can deal with it in moderation.  OH!  And the salmon with mustard sauce...MMMM!

As for the, 7 days a week for 28 days, exercise plan.  That just wasn't in the cards for me.  With all the storms we had in the North East in the first 2 weeks of the plan alone, it just wasn't possible.  Nor did I want to spend 28 days at the gym.  But with that said, I did get into a rhythm that I did not have before.  I developed my own workout plan, including going to Pilates on Mon, Yoga on Tues, gym Thurs (sometimes Friday) and Kandiluni yoga Sat (when I didn't have to travel home. And I stuck to this schedule (and will continue to do so).

So all and all, I feel great, healthy and happy with my decision to do this plan.  I followed other blogger's progress throughout the past few months, and even if they did not offer me advise directly, I learned from them.  I found everyone's suggestions helpful, and even tried new variations on recipes (adding curry to the almond chicken soup).  Others posts about their lives, whole living, spirituality, and cooking/baking inspired me to not just sit around and wait for things to happen, but to go out and experience life.

I have loved Whole living magazine since my Aunt gave me a gift of my first Body and Soul, because she knew I liked that stuff.  I spent the whole first day reading it and spouting out facts to anyone around me (even if they didn't care to hear it).  And now I love it even more because of what I get out of it, the website, and all of you.

So thanks!