Klean Mind, Klean Body, Klean Spirit

Hey there all my blog followers, how are all 3 of you?  Lol

I have been MIA for the better part of this month, and for good reason!  I have been spending sweet quality time with my family and enjoying some sweet vacation time with my hubs.  I am forever greatful I have a career that allows me to do so and I do not take it for granted.  Ever.  

As I was thinking about what to write I wanted to touch on a few parts of my Klean lifestyle that have nothing to do with food or exercise, even though those things play a huge part in it.  

In my 28 years here on this beautiful earth I have come to realize that a klean mind and spirit are the root of all happiness.  And that is what my goal is for my life, happiness.  It is just as difficult to keep your mind Klean as it is your plate.  I am a firm believer in "Thoughts Become Things" or The Law of Attraction.   What we give out to the Universe, the Universe gives us right back. So, in believing that philosophy I have started mindfully acknowledging the thoughts that I choose. And I will tell you this, it works.  When you put out good, good comes back and so does happiness.  It's magical.   It's also true for the negative thoughts and actions but I CHOOSE to not even give that any thought at all. ;-)   

I got to visit the most beautiful place this weekend. West Baden Resort in French Lick, IN.  It was a spur of the moment trip but it was exactly what I needed to reignite that fire inside of me and to stop and take in and appreciate the magic of the Universe for putting me at just the right place, at just the right time.  Once again.  There are two different hotels on the property and they are both historical and are filled with the most beautiful architectural craftsmanship that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing in person.  Every detail was surreal.  I could have walked around and stared just at the crown molding for hours.  There were spas, restaurants, pools, skiing and even a Casino.  It was a thrill for the senses, that's for sure.   In our three days there I received so many lessons that I know were put in place to help me on my journey... 

1.) Take time to realize the beauty around me and appreciate the fact that I am able to experience it.  Even if it's just a sunny drive to work...I can see, I can hear, I can feel, I can touch...THAT is magical. 

2.) Realizing that I mess up (like the chocolate cake I ate :-/) is just part of the course and and I have to experience the "bumps in the road" because sometimes those bumps are where I'll find the most joy.  And, that success is the mother to failure and out of those failures success is born. It's ok. I just have to keep going. 

3.) Love myself. Unconditionally.  And never let the words of others bother me because behind one negative there are a thousand positives.  While in my home town over Christmas more than a Handful of people, that I didn't even know read my blog, came up to me and cheered me on and asked how I was doing.  That made me so happy.   It also made me remember for any negativity that I've heard....." Lions don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep."

I love Lions ;-)

My Christmas vacation has helped me Klean my mind and spirit so much so that I cannot wait for what January and 2014 have in store for me.   I am going to meditate more (yep, I do that), I'm going to do more of what makes ME happy, and in doing that I'm going to love myself more.  I've had one too many sweets this past week and a few too many cocktails, but, SO WHAT!  I've gained so much more perspective in those "slip ups" than I ever could have being perfect.  

2014,

I. Am. So. Excited.  

Follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean

Email me @

Kinseygetsklean@gmail.com 

Happy new Year,

Cheers!

Weekend recap and a big ole photo dump

Hey y'all!  

Hope everyone had a great weekend, I sure did.  It's never long enough, but I only have 8 working days left until I'm done for the year!  I think I can deal.  

Ok, so I have a ton of pictures to post so that I can not only TELL you what I ate, I can also SHOW you.  ;-) 

Friday my hubs wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and I hadn't gone to the store yet so I had him get me "Naked" tenders and a side of carrots and celery.  It was really good but I could tell that chicken wasn't truly naked, because the next morning I woke up with swollen hands from what I guess to be too much salt.    Crazy when you Klean up your system how sensitive you become to things.  Not complaining.

On Saturday we had a party to go to so I had my normal boiled eggs with a little bit of fruit for breakfast and for lunch I had leftover BWW, and for dinner I did Shakeology.  I love Shakeology.  I've only ever had the Chocolate flavor and I blend mine with a packet if cinnamon Oatmeal and some ice.   It's so so so healthy and it always fills me up and satisfies any cravings I may be having.  I highly recommend it. 

After I had my shake I did my hair up real big beauty queen style and headed over to a friends house for some cocktails. 

Did anyone see Kristen Wiig on SNL Saturday night with the baby hands?  That's what my hand looks like in that picture.  Hahaha.  

Sunday, my sweet angel of a husband brought me breakfast in bed from Cracker Barrel. It was the "Good Morning Breakfast" off their new healthy eats menu.  It had scramble, turkey bacon, tomatoes and a fruit cup. It was delish!

Then later that day, this happened...

I Neeeeded it.  It was so good, burn your throat good.  Worth every calorie.   I will not appologize.  

Today I went to the store to get food to prep for the next couple of days and I picked up a Kashi frozen meal for lunch.  Not ideal but what are ya gonna do?   I also drank a giant bottle of sparkling lemon water.  

When I got home I prepped for the next few days.   I got some cage free, antibiotic free, hormone free chicken and seasoned it with this new stuff I found at Fresh Market.  It's OMG good and it has no salt.   None.   It's amazing.  I set the oven to 350 and baked those for 40 minutes while I prepped some broccoli and Quinoa.   I portioned those out for three days.  

I ran on Saturday and cut another 45 seconds off my time.  This week I want to run a mile in 10 minutes.   I don't know how on Earth that's going to happen but I am gonna try!  I'm still staying right around 1300 calories a day and I will tell you that I was having to pull my pants up all day long today.  Things are happening and I couldn't be happier!  I'm sort of excited to see what the scale has to say on January 1st.   

Is it Friday yet?

Follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean

Email me @ kinseygetsklean@gmail.com

How I got here

It's no secret, just like 99% of all women, I have struggled with my weight for years.  I have tried every diet...Atkins, weight watchers, South beach, fasting, no carbs, all carbs, you name it, I've tried it. I also have been on Diet pills for the better part of my teen years and adulthood. Phentermine was my drug of choice.  Sadly, in the long run, they've done more harm then good. Sure, they helped me lose 60 pounds at one point but as soon as I went off of them I gained it all back and more.  I think diet pills have done a lot of damage to my natural metabolism and in return have made it harder for me to lose weight.  Ironic, isn't it?  Don't even get me started on the rapid heart beat and heart palpitations I would have from it. Yikes!  

About 2 and a half years ago I was in the process of losing weight, with Phentermine, and was down to about 158. I am 5'3 and I have a curvy build.  158 puts me in about a size 8.  I was feeling good with my new weight loss but I was only eating about one meal a day because the phen makes food almost make you sick, which I thought was awesome at the time because It was helping me not want to eat.  When I did eat, it was crap. I was the poster child for losing weight the wrong way.  I did exercise a lot because I had a lot of energy from the medicine but your health is 80% food and only 20% from exercise. So, I wasn't healthy at all looking back now.  Around this same time my mom passed away suddenly and tragically.  I have been eating my feelings ever since. It's not even a conscious habit.  I do it without even realizing it.  My sister had pointed out a few times that she thought this is what was happening but in my mind I had dealt with and was healing from my moms passing just fine, so it didn't make sense to me. Not until now.   I had and probably still have a lot of built up emotion about it and food calmed that anxiety.  Now, I'm trying to refocus those emotions on doing things that will help me instead of harm me.  

At the beginning of this year I suffered a miscarriage and then had another one in August.  Hello comfort food!!  I'm ok with the miscarriages because I know now that I was not physically or mentally ready to be a mother.  I need to get ME ready first before I am given the responsibility of raising, nurturing, teaching and feeding another life.  I am well trained in rolling with the punches.  I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that whatever happens, good or bad, is for the greater good in the long fun.  I don't follow any particular religion but I have a serious spiritual relationship with the creator, I choose to call it God, and I know that only the best is in store for me.

I have accepted these hardships as blessings and I am sooo ready to turn it around.  I have cellulite, bumps, rolls, and stretch marks but I take those things for what they are, acknowledge them, and am ready to move on.  I can't wait for this wild ride!  

I'm feeling so good today!  I was able to slide my wedding rings on with ease this morning.  Things are happening!!  

I hope each and every oneof you have a great weekend, stay warm, and do something that makes you feel good!  

I will talk to you next week!  

Follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean

Email me @

Kinseygetsklean@gmail.com

Here's a picture of me and my love about 2 weeks before my sweet mom passed away. I was about 158/160ish here. 

Here is me, my husband and my mom. 

Love you momma. 

It's my Friday and I'm feelin' Klean!

Hey!  

I'm feeling really good at the end of my first week of living Klean!  I started on Sunday, so my workout's go from Sunday - Thursday and I take Friday and Saturday as rest days.  I'll probably work out tomorrow though, one, because I don't have to work tomorrow, so I won't have to get up early...and two, because I skipped Tuesday because I felt like my body needed to rest.  I'm trying my best to listen to my body and not my mind because like I said yesterday, my mind gives up WAY before my body needs to.  

I got up and ran this morning and I shaved some more time off of my mile.  I started the week (Sunday) at a 19 minute mile and I'm down to just under 17 minutes.  I'm pretty proud of that.  As I was running I was trying to beat my time, so I up'd my speed a little and to my surprise I didn't fall flat on my face.  At .5 to go Katy Perry's Firework came on and I started to cry a little.  Trust me, I know how lame that sounds.   But, I think at that moment it clicked in my brain that I actually COULD do this and that struck a nerve.  Plus, that song is awesome and came on at just the right time. I couldn't even run for one minute the last time I tried to start something like this so now, being able to run for 19 minutes straight, no matter how slow, is a huge deal for me. 

Breakfast was two hard boiled eggs and my snacks were 100 calorie almond packs and light cheese sticks.  My Vfusion I drink after I run.  Have I told you how good they are?  They are!  All of that equals out to 340 calories.  Plus, of course, my peppermint and Passion hot tea throughout the day.  

Lunch was a green smoothie from Juice Bar here in Brentwood, TN ( just south of Nashville ) they are amazing and convenient to where I work.  This is a Large green smoothie.  It has Spinach, Kale, Banana, Lemon, Apple and Pinapple.  It is sooo good.  You do not taste the Kale or Spinach at ALL!  I'm not 100% sure how many calories are in this and I'm not really concerned with it considering how good it is for you...but from what I've researched online I think it's around 350 for the Large.  I will ask next time I'm there to get an accurate number. 

For dinner I made Spaghetti Squash with roasted peppers and fresh tomato sauce.  

I got the most natural ingredients I could find...

I got an "Organic" sauce and an "All Natural" sauce.  The "All Natural" was the one that was actually Natural, the organic, not so much. 

I found this sauce at Kroger. It's legit. And really good. 

You will cut the squash in half and empty the seeds.  Brush with EVOO, salt and pepper.  Preheat the oven to 375 and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.   If it starts looking dry, add some more EVOO.  

While it's baking go ahead and put your peppers in a skillet and let them sauté with a little EVOO. Once they are starting to get soft, add in the sauce, and let simmer until you are ready for it. 

When your squash is ready, take out of oven and let cool for just a few minutes.  Next, you'll take a fork and just scrape out the insides.  It naturally comes out stringy just like spaghetti.  It's pretty cool 

2 full cups of the "Spaghetti" is only 60 calories!  Squeal!! 

Once you make your plate of the squash you'll add your sauce and a little bit of of fresh grated Parm. 

This whole plate is about 360 calories.  It is awesome and being a pasta addict this made me really happy!  The sauce is perfection also!   I couldn't even eat the whole thing because I was full and trust me, I have a huge appetite.  

After dinner I had a little bowl of my chocolate chip yogurt that was on the blog yesterday.....Aaaand I may or may not have had a beer.  Don't judge!!  I'm a working girl and my job drains the ever loving life out of me.  Gotta do what I gotta do. ;-) 

So, I came in just under 1400 calories for the day not including what I burned in my workout. 

I am never hungry.  I'm realizing just because I'm eating Klean doesn't mean I can't eat a good helping that fills me up. 

It's amazing what happens when you put the RIGHT fuel in your body. 

Hope you liked these these recipes and Cheers to the freakin' weekend!!  

You can email me at kinseygetsklean@gmail.com

Follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean

Until next time!

Klean eats, good treats

Well, day 3 is done and I already feel lighter on my feet for the start of day 4. Maybe it's just beginners luck, but, whatevs.

I stayed Klean all day yesterday and discovered some pretty awesome recipes and ideas. I didn't run yesterday but I did do some serious Yoga stretches because my body just isn't used to running on the daily, so I was feeling pretty stiff.  I'm carrying on with my 5k training today though, and I'm going to try to get up to 1.5 miles.  I'm surprising myself on the running front.  Even though I'm literally slower than a turtle, I can go a lot farther without stopping than I had originally thought.  It's all a mind game really.  My mind gives up long before my body.  I'm working on that.  

For breakfast, I had two scrambled eggs with a pinch of seasoned salt and 3 links of turkey sausage. The turkey sausage really hurt my stomach...It is probably the most prossesed thing I've eaten in a few days, so that is probably why.  I'm going to look for a more natural version.  Any ideas?  Breakfast was right around 240 calories. 

Lunch was left over from Monday night. Roasted red pepper quinoa with brown rice ( I use Near East brand ) peppers, chicken.  Easy peasy.  Right around 200 calories. 

Snacks are 100 calorie pack almonds and a light cheese stick.  150 calories together.  I ate this little combo twice yesterday. I also drank a lot of Peppermint and Passion Fruit herbal tea.   I LOVE tea.  

Dinner was quinoa and chicken again (minus the peppers) but I added a little Frank's Buffalo sauce and some light shredded cheese melted on top. UM, YUM!!  It tasted like Buffalo Chicken stir fry.     So. Good.     350 calories. 

 

Ok, now, PAY ATTENTION!!

Go buy these two things...

That's Greek God's all natural HONEY flavored Greek Yogurt.  I get the big tub cause it's THAT good. ( Thanks to my friend Amy for introducing me to it ) I can usually find it at Kroger and Target. If your store doesn't have it, go up to the customer service desk and request it, they'll be happy to keep it in stock for you. 

You'll also need some dark chocolate chips.   I'll probably find an organic version soon but I haven't had time to go to Whole Foods or Fresh Market this week.  For me, the darker the better, but everyone has their own preference. 

You are going to use 4 or 5oz of the yogurt and 1or 2 Tablespoons of the chocolate chips.   It will look like this little slice of heaven.....

That yogurt tastes like cream cheese and cake batter all mixed into one.  It. Is. THAT. good.  The chocolate chips give it a little crunch and kicks my chocolate craving.  I have a major sweet tooth, especially at night, so this takes care of it and fills me up.  It's awesome. Trust. 

Ready for this.... It's 240 calories.  

You're welcome. 

What clean, low cal dessert recipes do you use to kick the craving?

This stuff is also good for during the day when I start craving something bad.  It's really good, can't wait to try some more flavors. 

I came in just under 1400 calories for the day.  I'm trying to stay right around 1300-1500 per day.  

Well, that's about all I have for now. Thanks to everyone for all the encouraging messages you've sent me. It makes me really happy and I'm so glad I can be of help to some people. 

Follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean 

If you'd like to send me an email, you can reach me at, kinseygetsklean@gmail.com. 

And please share with your friends if you think they would like what I'm doing here.  

Have a Klean day!  

(That's sort of annoying isn't it?) 

;-)

Klean it up, buttercup

So far, so good. 

 Now, let me just start by saying I am having a major panic attack about posting pics of myself right now when I feel so self conscious, so please, be kind.  I'm doing it anyway because I'm tired of feeling embarrassed.  This is me and I'm proud of the person I've become.  My only fault (ok, one of them) is letting my life control me, instead of me controlling my life.  That changes now.  

I'm doing things a little backwards..I'm posting what I did look like, still not at goal weight, but what I DID look like versus what I look like now.  I want to get back to the "before" minus some pounds.  

It doesn't look like that big of a difference, at least not to me, but that's about a 70lb gain from 2011-2013. Gulp. 

My face is where I can really tell the most 

So...there it is.   I'm not brave enough yet to show me in tanks, shorts, etc, but I'll get there. I'm going to do my first weigh in on January 1st and I'm not expecting it to be that big of a difference because of the holidays and all that jazz BUT at least I'll be in a better place than I am now.  

Today I have been doing AWESOME. I got up and did 1.1 miles on the treadmill and burned about 207 calories. A bonus to being over weight is that you burn like twice the calories..so I'm totes gonna soak that up while I can.  ;-) 

I did strawberries for breakfast because I was out of eggs and needed something clean.  I also had a V8 V-Fusion...they are awesome and give me good, clean energy with no jitters. 

For lunch I did a salad from Harris Teeter. It had spinach, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, feta, tomatoes and mushrooms.  I had balsamic on the side, but I only used about a teaspoon.   I'm shooting for three 1 liter bottles of water a day.  

I'm also drinking herbal tea all throughout the day. One, because the hot liquid acts as a natural appetite suppressant and two, I love the health benefits of herbal tea without the caffeine.  I'm extremely sensitive to caffeine.  I can only do one caffeinated drink a day and it has to be early in the morning. 

Dinner will probably be grilled chicken and some sort of vegetable. I'll post it to Instagram later.  Follow me on IG if you'd like @kinseygetsklean. 

If you like reading PULEASE subscribe and follow my blog!  It would make me really happy.  Also, share with anyone you think might like to follow my journey.  

- Laters 

Here I go...

Cheers to my decision to finally get off my butt and do something about my...well...butt.
I'm so excited to start a healthy lifestyle journey and hopefully help some other people along the way. I know, for me, blogs have been a big reason I decided to do this.  They are so encouraging and let you see that you are not alone in whatever struggles you may be having.  I'm a blogaholic and I figured there is no better way to hold myself accountable then to start one of my own.  So, as the title says, Here I Go.

First, let me explain the word Klean. My name is Kinsey and my entire family is made up of "K" names.  We were around looong before the Kardashians, so, HA!  Anywho, I love the letter K, so, I thought it only appropriate to change "clean" to "Klean.  Plus, it looks better. 😉

Secondly, I am not a drug addict, besides being addicted to food, which a lot of peeps do consider a drug. I am getting "klean" in that I am changing my lifestyle habits, such as; eating, fitness, etc.  I do realize that Kinsey Gets Klean could refer to pill popping or that sort of thing but luckily, I haven't reached that point in my life yet.  I kid.

 Third, I'm by no means an English or Grammer major (if there is such a thing as a Grammer major..) so please don't judge me on that.  I'll go ahead and warn you in advance, things will be misspelled, punctuation will be wrong, and I will capitalize at random.  I don't really care and that's not what this is about.

lastly, I am going to joke a lot and perhaps say a few things that may offend some people.  I make no apologies.  This is a fun blog and it's MY blog.  I've been through a lot in my life and I don't have the time or energy to take myself that seriously anymore.

Now to the fun stuff!

I don't want to play the blame game...but I'm going to anyway.  I've been through some tragedies and the end result of that is me gaining weight and letting go of myself.  In all honesty, it's nobody's fault but my own, and that's ok.  It's up to me to make the change and that's what I'm going to do. I'm not to the point, yet, where I'm gonna post a number up of how much I weigh, but I promise once I start to see results and get more confident in myself, I will.  Right now, that baby is locked away in a vault and nobody is gonna get the code.

I'm kleaning up my diet and I'm training for my first 5k on February 8th.  Training starts today, December 1st.  I'll keep a photo diary and try to post pics here, as well as recipes and anything I find that helps me on my journey.  You can follow me on Instagram @kinseygetsklean.  I will post there an annoying amount.


Until next time, here's to a smaller butt!