2 Broken Dishes. Countless Dishes Washed. But....10 lbs Lost!

I've successfully completed three days of Phase 2:  Release.  One of the great things about Beach Body is the on-line support.  For Ultimate Reset, they have support groups for each Phase so that you can chat with and encourage others.  There have been some very interesting conversation strings in Phase 2 about, er, "releases". Having two kids, potty talk is, well, part of everyday.  It's just amusing to read about it from grown adults.

Anywho, Phase 2 is essentially about restoring optimum health to the complete gastrointestinal track while continuing to refine meals, removing all animal protein and shifting to an entirely vegetarian diet.  A new supplement has been added, Detox, which is taken 3 times a day.  Like the Alkalanize supplement, opinions vary on the flavor and consistency of Detox, which is mixed with about 8-12 ounces of water.  Having had 9 servings over the first 3 days, I find it tolerable.  It's a bit garlicy, and yes, a bit gritty, but the ingredients (a proprietary blend) are really healthy.  In fact, everything about these supplements is natural - but then, I would expect no less for a detox program.

The second week has no shortage of chopping and prep work.  In fact, since everything is vegetarian, I think it may even be more intense.  Hence the 2 broken dishes, victims of aggressive chopping, and the daily grind of dish washing.  I have no complaints, though, the food continues to amaze, and the results are just as amazing.

After 10 days on the reset, I've lost 10 lbs!  This is not a weight-loss program, but the benefits of program are better portion control, more filling foods, better metabolism, and as a result, weight loss can occur.  In addition, my blood pressure, which has run on the high-normal side for the last year, is now on the low side, down nearly 20 points on the systolic side and 5 points on the diastolic side.  This one is great, because hyper-tension does run in the family.

In addition to the weight loss and drop in blood pressure, my energy levels are way up.  I just feel......good.  Energized.  Alive.  Not is some weird manic high way, but a true sense of alertness and fitness.
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 The food has continued to be delicious.  Day 8 was a breakfast of fresh fruit, a lunch of salad and avocado, and one of my favorites, a dinner of pinto beans and rice with steamed zucchini and green beans.

Day 9 was an unconventional breakfast, to say the least.  Miso soup (yes, soup), avocado, and mashed chickpeas with oil.  Despite the oddness of the meal timing, it was actually quite warming, comforting, and a great way to start the day.  Lunch was leftovers of the beans and rice with a salad.  Dinner was HARD WORK, but it was awesome.  I had to dice and boil potatoes, roast a red pepper on the grill and grate fresh ginger (not as easy as it sounds), then blend it all together with some other ingredients.  The result - a hearty Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Bisque.  Yeah, I don't even know what bisque means, but it was GOOOOD.  I paired it with roasted asparagus and slivered almonds for a filling meal.

Day 10 was another breakfast of fruit.  I varied it from Day 8 adding raspberries, melon, and kiwi.  The flavors were great, and all complemented each other well.  Lunch was another serving of the bisque and a Greek salad (I subbed out the Greek dressing for the vinaigrette).  Dinner was a new recipe - quinoa and lentil pilaf with steamed broccoli.   It had a very Mediterranean flavor, likely due to the smoked paprika and tumeric.

All in all I'm feeling great, and look forward to telling you more about my journey as I progress through Phase 2.