The next 30 day challenge - Clean & Lean

So I've ticked off two challenges and, far from feeling tired and bored of this malarkey, I feel energised and excited about the next challenge. There are so many things I would like to try, and until a few days ago I had decided to focus on boosting my metabolism by trying some of the tips and tricks that are out there on the net. Then I picked up 'Clean & Lean' ebook, got a bit excited and the old plan was out the window. Although I've been having challenges based on exercise I have improved my diet here and there, so I'd be keen to do a challenge where I focus on this side of things.

The challenge: Go Clean & Lean

Tell me more: 


Clean & Lean is labelled a diet, but it's more a diet than a Diet (i.e. a realistically sustainable way of eating for life rather than a faddy short term thing). It focuses on pure, organic wholefoods, and cuts out sugar and reduces gluten, alcohol and caffeine. Basically it resonates with me very strongly as it is all about the foods I enjoy, the things I believe in, no real restriction (other than the bad stuff, which sadly includes booze). It doesn't cut out all carbs, or all beans (naming no diet names).

The thing I will struggle with  little is not drinking wine. I love a glass of wine of an evening, but I'm also aware that sometimes I over-rely on alcohol to help with stress and entertainment (not so good). I've started by cutting it out a week early, and I would like to continue not drinking for a month (wow... thought I'd never say that!)

This is a link to an overview of the diet: Closer Clean & Lean. Alternatively you can read the book; for those of you on Amazon Prime with a kindle - it is currently free to borrow in the lending library! Check out pinterest too for other recipes and articles: Pinterest Clean & Lean

Diet

• Cut down CRAP (heh heh) - that is caffeine, refined sugars, alcohol and processed food.
• 1 coffee a day (organic with cream)
• No refined sugars (there's a list here: Diagnosis Diet Site)
• No alcohol (at least for first 2 weeks)
• No processed food (eat freshly prepared wholefoods as much as possible)
• 1 cheat day a week is allowed
• Meals should mix protein, carbs and fat

Exercise:

• Don't overexercise
• Incorporate some resistance exercise (there's some suggested ones in the book, but looking through them I do 

Other

I'm going to look to take the clean & lean to another level throughout the month. I figure there's no point in being ultra careful to cut out nasty chemicals etc in your diet if you're smothering them on your face at night, and cooking in pans or plastics that release them, so I'll look to substitute out some of the toxic suspects in my surroundings for some alternative, more natural options.

Support
I'm so glad I have this blog to be held accountable too because I think it will keep me on track where I've failed before (the whole zero booze thing). My boyfriend has suggested he cut down on booze too, which will be a massive help. If I see him sipping on a nice glass of wine at home after a stressful day my head will probably explode.