Coffee Talk Tuesday #127

It’s Tuesday! Grab your cup and let’s start talking.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I’ve now completed one week of the celery juice challenge! I have been juicing now for 8 days. Here are my early reactions:

1. No noticeable change in my skin. Maybe this will take longer? Husband asked if this was something I’m done with or something I’m “going to do forever.” I’m thinking about extending this challenge to 30 days.
2. Unexpected: lower sugar cravings. I do not deny myself the things I want to eat, and usually in the evening, after dinner, I want something sweet. I have not wanted something sweet each night of this challenge. I’m not trying not to eat sweet things, I simply do not crave them in the evening.
3. Less bloating. I typically feel bloated when I eat certain foods, and I have not experienced bloating AT ALL during this challenge. Even (TMI?) when last week was my special lady week. How did I escape the week bloat-free?! I keep telling everyone I feel skinnier.
4. Hydration to the max. My toughest class to teach, without a doubt, is turbo kick. We have a NEW set which requires SO MUCH HYPE on my part and lots of visual and verbal cues. I definitely use a lot of energy teaching this class. But last night? I didn’t feel overloaded afterwards. Husband thinks it’s because I’m more hydrated. Maybe? Definitely going to keep testing this theory.
5. Sleeping through the night. Usually, 1-2 times a week, I get up in the middle of the night, or am unable to go to sleep right away (yup, even with my crazy exercise schedule). I have a rule – if it’s more than 15 minutes, I need to leave bed. I don’t want to be awake in bed, tossing and turning. The entire challenge – I have hit the pillow and gone right to sleep every night.
6. Several years ago, I had extremely bad issues with food and digestion. The doctor wanted to put me on a daily pill for heartburn, which I hated. I was determined instead to figure out my trigger foods. I learned that nightshades (pepper, eggplant, tomato, potatoes even) and anything fried gives me heartburn, so I avoid those things. I also learned that peanut butter, chocolate, and lots of dairy make me feel ick. I’ve been very good at making good choices, knowing what will happen if I eat those foods. I know many people have experienced fewer GERD issues with celery juicing. I’m already on track with this/able to keep it under control, but I could see how celery juicing might help you make better food choices.
7. TMI alert – bathroom changes. I’m a very regular once-a-day person. I have been consistently a 2x a day person since starting the celery juicing challenge. Extreme TMI – it’s never been like an emergency visit to the bathroom, so that’s good!

Those are a few of the major things I’ve noticed since starting the celery juice challenge. I put together a video on Sunday that highlights how to make the juice. It seamlessly has fit into my morning routine.

That’s the biggest thing that has changed this week, but if we were having coffee together today I’d also tell you that husband made major progress on the back room. As in, we have furniture back there now! It’s coming together and I cannot wait to spend time in that space. There’s so much light, and I’m thinking about making it my temporary office this summer when I work from home.

If we were having coffee together this week, I’d tell you that I’ve been in planning mode all week — for summer engagements for students, thinking about summer events, planning my summer fitness orientation program for first-year college students. Plan, plan, plan! I had the Spring into You wellness group establish a goal for each day (or in some cases one for the week), and my goals were all around planning:

Sunday – pull & wash spring clothes from attic (my closet is so BRIGHT now!)
Monday – get to advanced yoga (done)
Tuesday – summer planning, finalize flyer to students for programming
Wednesday – create the bulletin board for NGS at the high school
Thursday – finalize summer orientation fitness schedule & BOOK things
Friday – OTF and yoga in the morning, MLW applications with students in the afternoon
Saturday – brunch date with fitness friends! Looking forward to this!

I’ve been loving getting to 2 or 3 yoga classes each week, gearing up for starting my YTT later this year. The advanced class is super playful and exploratory, and I’m loving the vibe of it.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I’m also thinking ahead to summer fitness classes. When I think about it, I plan a TON of opportunities in my mind, but I know I need to create space for my own fitness journey too. It’s such a tough thing! I’d be curious to hear from you, if you take classes with me, on what you’d like to see. I’m also gearing up for an unexpected certification in step (hip hop!!) in May, which I’m really excited to do. Something new!

That’s a lot for this week, but all this celery juice is giving me life. Or maybe it’s the sun and prospect of WARM weather. Have a great week!