EAT WHAT YOU NEED.

I did 30 days of clean.

And I mean CLLLEEEAAANNN.  

Spick-n-span kinda clean.

Gallon+ water-per-day clean.
No-red-meat clean.
Drinkin-down-a-blender-full-o'-veggies kinda clean.
I committed to 30 days of clean using the principles of the Transitions Lifestyle System. 
My Results: Down 10lbs.  Down 4% Body fat.


And might I add, I'm thrilled that my AWESOME wife was along for the ride and was incredibly supportive.  I remember as a teenager, just starting out with powerlifting, realizing the body's ability to transform, sculpt, and change by choosing different movements and different foods.  The choice of foods is about viewing food as fuel for your body.  A fried of mine, Danny Aguirre (RAW United Powerlifter/Nutritional Educator) says, "It really comes down to '[people] eat what they want, not what they need.'"   It is possible to change your body.  There is no un-lucky star, there also isn't a magic pill. 

Be coachable. 
Be committed. 
You can do it! 
Make the commitment!
http://www.tlsslim.com/

Here is some feedback from some folks that did. 
     Mike LaRe - Fort Myers, FL
     2/6/12
      For years I tried to crack the code to controlling my consistent weight gain and loss of good health. It wasn't until the third week of the TLS system that I realized just how bad of shape I was in; both mentally and physically. Years spent thinking the food being placed into my body was good, pretty much every part of my routine was well below par and I had no idea.
    Through TLS and particularly the pivotal coaching and assistance from Ron and Rhiannon, this average guy was able to drop weight fairly easily and consistently and just as importantly, learn how to eat properly. Their tools have given me the ability to recognize, once and for all, what is good and what is not. I can say this because it worked and there were no magic pills, no starvation, nothing short term. Everything taught is now part of my life and these lessons will carry with me always.
     Thank you both and appreciate everything you have done.

     Pat Thomas - Poland, OH
     2/3/12 - via text
     Saw my doctor last Friday and had my bloodwork done on Tuesday.  My A1c went from 13.8 to 8.2, my cholesterol went from 485 to 120 , my triglycerides went t from 1294 to 220.  I am stopping Byetta injections this week to see if I can just use metforman and keep my blood sugar down where it is.  Then if that works over a few weeks I will cut my metforman in half.  So far I am thrilled and my doc is too.  I actually like working out.

Be Prepared.

I feel like I lived a slice of movie greatness yesterday for those of you that have seen Planes, Trains, &nAutomobiles.  Flight was scheduled to depart Punta Gorda Regional Airport yesterday at noon. Significantly abbreviated version -  mechanical problems -rescue plane called in - 5 hours later, the "rescue plane" is still not even on it's way to us.  Them using the word "rescue" felt like calling 911 and hearing," Yes, so you're injured and stranded; you will be "rescued" in 7 hours by a paramedic that is unreliable and off-duty."

So, I'm in a small regional airport, cafe is closed.  So I decided I was going to be determined to make the best choices possible.  There is a snack bar, and the nearest restaurant/grocery store is a 30 minutes and a $50 cab ride away. I thought I was prepared with my 2 hard boiled eggs and  sliced veggies. As it turns out, what was my lunch, and I was not prepared at all with an emergency food source!  Yes, I was UNPREPARED to travel.  

I found myself brushing salt off of snack pack cashews, and peeling the deli turkey off of the pre-made sandwiches, and rationing protein bars.  There wasn't a vegetable to be found.   The airline was nice enough to bring in Pizza Hut pizzas.  All you can eat, mind you.   Temptation!  TEMPTATION!   So NOW I'm sitting in a small terminal, like "don't bother to speak into the tinny microphone" small, smelling pizza and watching other "rescue plane" hostages enjoy drinks and free food, my stomach is doing circles from eating 3 protein bars that contained sugar alcohols (good for keeping blood sugars in check, bad for a digestive system).  It actually said on the label to please consume 8oz of water with this bar in order to avoid intestinal discomfort.  I drank 30 oz of water per bar, and still, predictably, satisfied their prediction of discomfort. 

Another abbreviated part - I got a refund on the flight - I learned to be prepared.  

Emergency snack ideas to have in a briefcase, glove box, carry-on bag, purse, pocket, refrigerator, road trip bag (ever tried to find a healthy snack in a gas station?! - YIKES) or desk drawer:

Nuts (raw, unsalted)

Apple.  Yes, nature's simplest, ready made, prepacked no-heart-attack snack. 

Dried Fruits (no sugar added) - Prunes, rasins, apricots

Sliced Bell Peppers and Carrots (pallatable at room temp, will last a few hours unrefrigerated)

Protein Powder as you can usually find a cup and some water (low sugar/high fiber- no crazy stimulants - like this Protein Powder)

So yes, it may take some getting used to; this idea of having food on you at all times, but if you want there results, and you want the body, and you never want to find yourself in a situation where you're only option is to forsake your healthy body, then be prepared, be the winner, be strong and make the decision that is best for your body.  

Oh yeah, and GET UP AND MOVE YOUR MASS TOO!