Nitty Gritty, Carly Eats Clean, Q & A

First, I've been getting a lot of questions about what I am eating and what I can have and can I have this, and people giving me suggestions on what to eat.  I really appreciate all of the feedback from everyone and the concern and interest being shown the passed few days.  These comments/questions from everyone restore my faith in my network and in humanity. 

Taking it from the top... I paid Justin Pryor (a professional) to create a meal plan for me.  I had to tell him what my likes and dislikes were, what my goals were, how much I weighed, height, body fat %, how often I exercised.... etc.  He sent me the meal plan, has been prompt on any questions I have had since, and told me to take before pictures and measurements.  Together, in one month, Justin and I will re-evaluate my goals and accomplishments and adjust my meal plan accordingly so I can continue. 

Questions and Answers Time!

1. How long are you doing this for? I will be doing this meal plan for one month.  I plan on continuing to eat clean and healthy for as long as possible.  (just like everyone else who tries weight watchers or tries to eat healthier)  This IS NOT A DIET, this is a lifestyle.  
2. What are you eating?  The easiest way to explain this is I am clean eating.  If you google clean eating, it will explain to you that it is eating as close to earth as possible.  I eat items that don't have a food label (ingredient list).  For example, I have been eating steamed veggies, grilled chicken, grilled steak, almonds, brown rice... Nothing processed, no frozen meals, and all prepared without adding anything besides spices.  No condiments (no mayo, no ranch, no bleu cheese, no ketchup, no A1, no honey mustard, no chic-fil-a sauces, no BBQ sauce...), except for mustard and I don't like mustard lol.  ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I can use vinegar and all the spices that I want, so I use pepper and garlic a lot.  (just granulated garlic, not garlic salt -check the ingredient list )  Pretty much I buy fresh or frozen vegetables and steam them, and grill my chicken and steak on a foreman (until the weather breaks) which will hopefully happen tonight, in which case I will be grilling outside!
3. What are my goals?  I would like to lose minimally 20 pounds.  A healthy weight range for my height is between 130-164 pounds.  20 pounds would put me right under that limit.  I am not ashamed of my weight or the way I look, but I would be lying to you if I said I was happiest where I currently am.  I could definitely stand to gain some self confidence, believe it or not! I like most to be on the beach or fishing, and I would prefer to not wear a cover up the entire time!  To each his own!  If you're happy the way you are, be happy! Congrats!  I appreciate that many people say I look fine the way I am but I want to look FINE not just fine!
4. How does the food taste?  Honestly, the taste isn't bad when you can add spices.  The only thing I am missing is sugar, which I don't get much of a craving for.  Meal #2 is a protein shake and mine is chocolate flavored, and that helps the sugar craving.  My biggest issue is dry meat, dry rice, and dry veggies.  I think the dry part comes from the prepping.  When it comes off the grill or the steam pot its nice and moist, when it sits for a few days its not so moist.  Its hard to swallow. Literally, the food is hard to swallow! I would love some honey mustard on my chicken and some A1 or ketchup on my steak.  That is the HARDEST part thus far.  I am a condiment girl, but I guess that just shows how those calories can sneak in there!  Plus, there is tons of sugar in sauces even when they don't taste sweet!
5. Are you meal prepping? You kind of HAVE to meal prep because how are you going to grill a chicken breast at work? How are you going to steam broccoli before your business meeting? And even though some restaurants advertise grilled chicken and steamed vegetables, you don't know if they were marinating them, or how fresh they are, or what they do to prep them.  When grilling and steaming the way I am, prepping doesn't really change the taste, but maybe the food is a little dryer than it would be fresh off of the grill.  I do, however leave my last meal *filet mignon* to make fresh every night, because by that time I am home.  One trip to the grocery store per week, and one, maybe two solid hours of prepping is all it takes for the entire week.  People say that they don't have time to prep, but you put in just as much time packing your lunch for the week and making the family dinner for the week.  Determination, not excuses.  Trust me I've had many excuses in the past and hopefully I'm through with all of them now!

I think I've lost track of the questions and I have rambled on enough.  Feel free to comment a question or inbox or comment on facebook!  I am really appreciating the support guys! keep it coming because you guys keep me going! xo