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![Clean Food Love](http://cleanfoodcrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CFC-Ultimate-Clean-Eating-eCookbook-banner-FALL.jpg)
Meet Karla, who lost 16 pounds with the CleanFoodCrush 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge, went on to lose 14 more, then came back two years later when quarantine weight snuck up on her.
I’m so excited to have done the CleanFoodCrush 30 Day Challenge again.
I’ve been following Clean Food Crush for well over 2 years. I decided 2 years ago this month to join the 30 Day Challenge after the ah-ha moment while on a vacation in Hawaii that “wow, I eat A LOT of sugar!” It was then while I was on our vacation that I signed up to start the challenge a week after we returned to the mainland.
I not only lost 16 lbs during the 30 day challenge, I went on to lose and maintain a 30 lb weight loss, eating clean.
Even with an occasional dessert or glass of wine I could still maintain my weight, that is until COVID-19.
I’m a nurse who works an already stressful job on the Family Birth Unit (on the Mother/Baby side). With the constant policy changes at work, the worry that I would somehow expose a newborn to the virus, I soon realized that my occasional dessert morphed into an every night dessert. Soon, I just didn’t feel “good in my skin” as they say. Although my clothes still felt relatively ok I didn’t like what I was seeing in the mirror. Then I stepped on a scale, something I rarely do, and saw I was up by 8 lbs in only 6 weeks.
I didn’t hesitate to sign up for another challenge.
Week one was exactly what I needed… guidance, support, a plan. I noticed after only a few days that my belly bloat was improving.
Halfway through week 3 I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and was ECSTATIC to see a visual difference.
I’m excited to say I lost the 8 lbs! I have my energy back, my skin is glowing and (as weird as it sounds) my eyes seem clearer and I sleep so much better.
The recipes are incredible! Honestly, it’s hard to choose just one that’s my favorite.
Some of my favorite recipes include:
- Ham Eggs Cups
- Fast & Simple Chicken & Green Bean Stir Fry
- Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Bolognese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Easy Chicken Piccata
Try our Healthy Unstuff Beef Egg Roll Stir Fry Recipe!
What keeps me motivated to continue eating clean?
This incredible group.
Years ago I tried another healthy eating group but there were a few times I posted a pic of a meal I had prepared and was soon met with comments like, “you have too much fruit” or a similar comment. I’ll be honest, it was defeating and soon I left the group. Clean Food Crush is a group of encouragement, positive energy and really great guidance and tips to keep me on track.
Each week Rachel guides you and is readily available to answer any questions that arise.
Ever since my first challenge 2 years ago I hike more, do yoga, barre3, mountain bike, kayak, etc. Why? Because I have the energy to do so. Before the challenge in 2018 I hiked South Sister, one of the most challenging hikes I’ve ever done. Last summer, I hiked it again, this time 30 lbs lighter. She was still the hardest mountain I’ve ever hiked but I had the energy and stamina to reach the summit, I’m so excited to say!
It didn’t take long for my friends to notice I was slimming down and noticing the delicious meals I was bring to work.
Soon they were asking me for the link and some have joined the challenge as well.
For those of you on the fence on if you should join?
I’m here to tell you it is worth it! I remember thinking “I’m not going to pay for that. I’m sure I can eat clean on my own.” Then months later I was on my Hawaiian vacation and 3 days in I realized I eat an awful lot of sugar and so I joined. If you are on week one and you think “am I supposed to eat all this food in one day?”…. trust the process, I promise you it works.
I can’t say enough about Rachel’s group. Well thought out plan, great support and tons of cheerleading along the way.
Thank you Rachel for helping me get back on track!