Please God, let this work!

Last night was busy...very busy! My son had his adorable kindergarten musical and we went for ice cream after the show. Well they went for ice cream, I went for water! UGHHHH! It was tough but I resisted. Not even a lick of a spoon or swipe of a cherry...just a glass of ice water! Part of me really wanted to skip the trip entirely but that wouldn't have been fair. Nor would it have been realistic. I'll be faced with temptations again I'm sure...I can't run from them all. And it's only 2 more weeks, then I can plan for things like this as a treat. It's not like I'll never eat ice cream again!

I was exhausted, but after tucking the kids in for bed, I hauled my butt to the gym too (yay me!!). I asked some friends and fellow challengers to motivate me and hold me accountable for exercising regularly. I hadn't been. I'm sure my results in the challenge will be even better if I do and I really want the best results! So it was their texts and voices that I saw and heard as I glanced at my cozy bed, laced up my sneakers and headed to Planet Fitness instead. Thanks guys!

I needed to burn off some stress anyway. Yesterday was Day 10, the last day of the cleanse for myself and most of my family and friends that are joining me on this crazy ride. I was a bit worried, nervous, anxious...what ifs were running through my head all night.

What if this doesn't work? What if I haven't lost any inches? What if it's all in my head that I "feel" great? What if I regained the 7 lbs I noticed I lost when I peeked last week? Maybe it was all water. What if it doesn't work for any of the others? Will they hate me? They spent good money!!

Run on that elliptical...run on that elliptical...

Ok...it'll be alright. We're healthier if nothing else. We're on a good path. We're making good choices. It'll be fine. Now go to sleep.

So I did. And I woke up. And I weighed. And I measured. And it worked!!!

I'm down 7.5 pounds. I've lost 12 inches. 3.5 from my waist alone!!! How cool is that?!?! Belly fat---Be Gone with You!

14 more days to go...and these next 2 weeks are referred to as the "Burn Phase". Woohoooooo! Maybe I'll wear a pair of shorts this summer. It's been a good 10 years since that's happened, lol!

Results are in from most of my family and friends too. No one hates me. Everyone is thrilled!! It's a happy day!

I made a really easy and yummy crock pot dish the other day...here it is...

Chicken and Eggplant Marinara

-2 lbs b/s chicken
-1 medium to large eggplant, sliced
-1 medium onion, diced
-1 T minced garlic
-2 jars of sugar free spaghetti sauce ( I used Classico Tomato Basil

Place all items in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over pasta or spaghetti squash, my favorite!

I sprinkled some low fat mozzarella on my kids' plates and now that I'm not cleansing I could eat it that way as well!

WW points + = 4 per cup plus points for pasta or not...if you eat it over spaghetti squash! So yummmmy!!!

Enjoy!!

Here's a montage of pics that follow along with this post...