I'm no Biggest Loser, but Jillian Michaels is kind of kicking my Badass.
Five days into the Badass Trio's pact to kick our metabolism and fitness up a notch by cutting out processed foods, sugars and alcohol, I am admittedly fighting back every urge to dig into a pint of Haagen-Dazs.
I don't even consider myself a big dessert eater, but that whole notion about desiring something more once it's gone (in this case, sugar and fat) seems to be true. And then there's the whole "how-to-spend-Friday-Happy-Hour-sans-vino" conundrum...If you walked in front of me with a cookie right now, I might just tackle you and bite your hand as I devoured it.
But I'm pretty stubborn, and when I decide I want something, I go after it. So I am not giving in to the cravings. Instead, I have spent the past few days eating clean foods that Jillian, in her bestseller Master Your Metabolism, recommends for optimum health and calorie-burning.
As we head into the weekend, here's a list of power foods to stock up on and smart choices to make as you hit the grocery store and deal with your own cravings:
- Eggs
- String Cheese
- Reduced-fat feta cheese
- Almond Milk, unsweetened (less sugar and calories than regular or soy milk, ideal for smoothies and oatmeal)
- Oatmeal
- Nonfat Greek yogurt (mix it with chocolate protein powder to make 'pudding' that satisfies the sweet tooth!)
- Chicken breasts
- Shrimp, fish
- Berries and fresh vegetables
- Orville Redenbacher's reduced-fat Natural popcorn (nothing artificial, and the flavor far surpassed the 20 calories per cup)
- Brown rice or couscous
- Hummus
- Whole wheat crackers
- Almonds
- Almond butter
This is just a sampling, but give them a try. And notice that Gummi Bears and gumballs are NOT on the list. I miss them, but I'm staying away from them...Now excuse me while I go pop some of that popcorn to kill this potato chips craving!
Coming next week: A Tampa mom drops more than 60 pounds; the Badass CEO's Faves, summer edition; and the Badass Guys' ideal cookie (hint: bacon!)
