I’d better look darn fine in a bikini by spring break or there will be HE11 to pay.

In case you missed my first post, I’m taking part in Genuine Health’s 21 day pH challenge, where I’m taking my daily dose of Greens+ extra energy and measuring my body’s pH levels three times per day.  I’m also making some changes to my diet, which is notoriously…bad.

Optimal pH for the human body is 7.0 – 7.25 and apparently if our pH level is below that or above it, our systems will work hard to achieve homeostasis (equilibrium).

This process takes away from other things our bodies could be doing instead and puts stress on us.  You can learn more at the Genuine Health website, or give the topic a Google.

Our North American diet, high in processed foods (yes, I’m guilty) and sodas (really guilty!), tends to give us an acidic pH level, which can apparently “put us at risk for certain illness and diseases. Not to mention premature aging, osteoporosis, weight gain, poor skin & hair health, and internal toxin build-ups resulting in frequent colds, flu and headaches.”

Yikes!

I’m looking forward to seeing if I feel a difference after 21 days!

So here’s how I’ve fared for the first few days.  I’ve also tracked every morsel and drop that has touched my lips on the Daily Plate so we can see how my diet reflects changes to my pH level each day. (Enter the password ‘strong’).  My other goal is to lose 8-10 pounds over the next  2 months (by our spring break) to put me in tip top shape for my upcoming half marathon, so I’m using my food tracking and this challenge as an opportunity to introduce some healthier food habits into my life.

Care to join me?

Day 1 – Jan 18/10 – Monday:

• morning pH  -6.4
• afternoon -6.8
• evening – 6.8

Okay, these are not the greatest pH levels. Definitely room for improvement.  Taking the greens+ extra energy, but also need to eat more greens and colored veggies.

I just read more about how the sugars in our diets can contribute to oxidation, free radicals and aging….high sugar diet=wrinkles? Say it isn’t so!  That may be the one thing that scares me toward clean eating. Even beyond gaining weight.  Extra weight I can lose. Wrinkles, not so easy!

healthy fuel=healthy body. My new mantra for the next three weeks.

Day 2 – Jan 19 – Tuesday:

• morning pH – 6.6
• afternoon – 6.4
• evening – 6.6

Great day eating wise, even though my pH levels don’t reflect it yet. Keeping the faith!  Took my greens plus extra energy as scheduled.

In the evening, I went to a social media talk given by Julien Smith, who co-authored the new book Trust Agents with Chris Brogan.  Had a fun and lively commute with Kim, Glenn and Justin, who recorded Julien Smith’s talk here.  The talk was held at a Vancouver pub so I was sorely tempted to order pub fare. But with focused visualization of a pumpkin butt in a bikini I elected to order salmon and steamed veggies instead.

Then I splurged on a couple of drinks.

2 white rum and diet colas later…all was good.Really good.  I  mean bad….of course I mean bad, because diet sodas are acidic and let’s not get started about Bacardi. Yum…I mean bad bad BAD.

But being in a pub and not having a drink?

I’m not that strong.

After the talk we hit Subway where I almost jumped the guy behind the counter for his cookies.  But because Kim, Glenn and Justin were watching me (and I knew Glenn would make fun of me) I ordered a bottle of water instead.

Too embarrassing to give in to temptation twice in one day.

Drat.

Day 3 – Jan 20 – Wednesday:

• morning – 7.0
• afternoon – 6.8
• evening – 6.8

Already seeing a difference in my pH.  When I measured it this morning, my son verified my 7.0 reading. High fives!  Perhaps there’s something to this healthy eating crap lifestyle.

Sat and watched my son’s hockey game from the nice warm upstairs pub. Yup, a pub again. Resisted all temptation, though, and stuck with tea.  Good girl!  These sneaky pubs might be my downfall if I’m not careful!

After dinner though, I’ve not had enough calories for the day.  I’m only at 970, and I have a half marathon training run tomorrow. Without all the sugar in my diet, I’m not craving food as much.  Huh, go figure.

I need more fuel, preferably carbs, tonight.  Maybe popcorn?

Worried about my salt and butter cravings, so I went with some crackers instead.  Bor-ing. And not the best choice.  I need veggies! ( I just don’t WANT veggies…)

Need to open my fridge next time instead of being drawn like a deer in headlights to the pantry.

Will. Do. Better.

Day 4 – Jan 21 – Thursday:

• morning pH- 7.0
• afternoon – 6.8
• evening – 7.0

Things are looking better on the pH level and of course I’ve been taking my greens plus extra energy. That part is easy and I always feel good getting at least some greens into me!

Today I took a good look at my Daily Plate food journal for the past three days.  Although I’m eating much healthier, there is still a noticeable lack of veggies in my journal. Perhaps I can sketch some in…does that count?

Trouble in the evening, though. Dratted pub again…well, the bar at the Vancouver Canucks game.  My date for the evening was a great bartender terrible enabler. I think he was hoping to get lucky because three rum and diet cokes appeared miraculously at my seat.  Hmm.  Apparently he’s quite familiar with how to make me happy my weakness.

And of course if I’m enjoying a drink or two – okay, three, it is usually a great excuse to order those yummy little mini donuts.

Hot, sugary mini donuts are my FAVORITE!

But I was strong.

So strong.

Until the girls sitting next to me pulled out a littlewarmsugarysmelling bag of them.

AGHHHHHHHHHHH!

I sat next to them and fumed.

I glared.

I pouted.

I cried.

But I did not give in and eat a single donut.

Gosh, that was hard.

Really hard.

I’d better look darn fine in a bikini by spring break or there will be hell to pay.