Checkin' in with Kait M.

About a month ago, you may recall my feature on clean eating newbie, Kait M.  Since then, some of you have reached out and asked if she's still trucking along on this whole clean eating bit...What's the latest on her success? How much has she lost? - etc.  I believe this is all in an effort to validate that clean eating works and answer the ultimate question that YES, it could work for you, too! 

Well friends, I was also curious on what this past month had in store for Kait ...  I wondered what challenges did she face? What lessons did she have for us?  Over the weekend, I reached out to Kait with all of our questions in-hand, and this is what she had to say...

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Hey Mrs. Skinny Fat & Friends!

It’s been about six weeks now on my clean eating journey!  Life is just as crazy as ever, but I’ve learned I can have great success as long as I am planning ahead.  It’s the mornings I wake up and haven’t prepared or thought about what I will eat that day in advance that I find myself falling into old habits. Unfortunately there have been plenty of those meals… or whole days… but I just start right back over.  And I’m famous for the mentality, “Well, I messed up already, the whole day is pretty much shot."  However, I’ve gotten WAY better at this.  Just because I may not have had the cleanest meal available at lunch, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t still do my best at dinner.   

Kait with her two little ones. Photo taken
earlier this month by Eric Miron Photography.
I don't know about you, but I think
this photo screams success...

My biggest struggles still are dining out, I’m nowhere near “That Girl” yet.  I also struggle with sticking to my guns if we are invited to a friend’s house for dinner.  I don’t want to be rude or unsocial, so I end up eating what is served; another obstacle for me to overcome.

I’ve also been really struggling to find time in my day to exercise.  I work full time, and have two little kids to spend time with in the evenings.  We belong to a gym, so I’ve started going at lunch time 3 days a week.  I’m not working out hardcore, but I’ll pack a bag and change quick in the locker room and then jump on the elliptical for 30 mins, freshen up quick and change and head back to work.  I can usually do this in a little over an hour and I figure it’s still better than no exercise at all.

However, even the small strides I’m making have made a tremendous impact on my energy levels, and have made me feel amazing.  The scale hasn’t moved much, but my clothes are fitting better than they have in years!  And I’ve noticed some extra looks in my direction. ;-) I’m excited to keep chugging along, and tighten up the reigns a bit, and watch as my body continues to transform.

-Kait

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I SO appreciate that Kait brings nothing but honesty to the table with this update. As much as I love to applaud success, I also applaud a truthful reflection...one that brings you to a greater understanding of your weakest links and most importantly lays the foundation for how you are going to overcome it.  I have no doubts that many of your can relate to Kait and these struggles on multiple levels...this is what this blog is all about.

I think there is a key lesson in this post.  Planning is everything.  Right away, Kait acknowledged that if she planned...success would follow.   Let's all make a point this week to plan out our meals, have clean eating in the forefront of our minds...in other words, invest in our bodies, and try to do a little bit better than last week. Whether it's two steps forward, or just a little baby step...progress IS progress.  You don't need to start a journey at the perfect opportunity, a journey - or small change for that matter - can start right this very moment. Go on now, make it happen!
Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,
Mrs. Skinny Fat
P.S.  Thank you Kait for keeping us up-to-date.  We're cheering for you!  Already looking forward to checking in on your progress a month from today. That's a whole lot of time to do a lot of good! 

My Breakfast Staple: Glorified Oats & Egg Whites

It wasn't until recently that I connected the dots of how important it is to combine the complex carb with the lean protein (in this case, rolled oats and egg whites).  Mind you, I have read dozens of books and magazines that listed it as a bullet point time and time again -- but I think I just subconsciously ignored it because maybe it seemed like "more work" to me to not only think about clean foods but also combining the right foods.  

I use to just eat the oatmeal or just the eggs for breakfast but never together...that is until the dots finally connected. It was my chiropractor (you never know who is going to inspire you!) who finally drilled it in my brain when he asked me how much protein I was getting a day.  I didn't have a clue how to answer.  Then he said, "You are already doing the work...eating clean, working out - now you need to rely on science to take you to the next level.  What if you could double your success by just combining the right foods?"  It was a total "Ah HA" moment for me!  By combining lean protein and complex carbs at each meal, it helps you slow down the carb-to-fat conversion in your body - in other words, it keeps you feeling full and satisfied between meals.  But also for me, it helps ensure I am getting enough protein throughout the day when I am intentionally making it a part of every meal.   

Now I tend to rely on my oats and egg whites for breakfast the majority of the time.  What I love about both is - in my opinion - you can't mess them up!  I will make a large pot of oatmeal at the beginning of the week so it's ready to go each morning by simply heating it up (sometimes I even like it cold!).  I just take rolled oats (buy it in bulk at the health food store), add water (sometimes I will do half water and half soy milk), add some ground cinnamon, handful of organic raisins,  handful of slivered raw almonds, throw in the chia seeds and wheat germ, cook it on the stove top for 3 to 5  minutes depending on how much I am making and I am good to go for the week.  Sometimes instead of raisins I will do chopped apples...or  I might leave out the fruit while cooking and instead add it on top before serving - such as a handful of fresh berries or half of a peach.  I also now love the combination of the oats and egg whites mixed together...is that weird? 

Pot of Glorified Oatmeal Made & Ready for the Week

The Secret to Successful Clean Eating is Making Sure You Combine
Your Oatmeal (Complex Carb) with the Egg Whites (Lean Protein).