Update

So,I just wanted to post an update as to how my fitness routine is going ever since I ditched the scale.
And I must say, it's going RAWSOME! I've been eating mostly raw, uncooked or lightly steamed with an occasional cooked vegan meal and it's been great. My arms are slimming out, and I can simultaneously see the muscle tone in my biceps and quads from the kettle bell workout and squats. I'm a bit lazy when it comes to crunches and sit ups, so I rely on my kettle bell for all that. In addition, I haven't been taking my water for granted. It's easy to forfeit it and make excuse after excuse, like "I can't go to the bathroom that often" or "I don't have time." Increasing your water intake is crucial to building muscle and losing fat. Don't you ever forget it!

Meet your Meat

Meat Eating is not essential to humans. We were designed to be herbivorous.
Eating flesh was permitted on a temporary basis after the flood, because the water destoyed
ALL life outside the ark.

Cheese breaks down into cyanide in the human stomach.
Stop poisoning yourself.

There are many other videos on the matter. Check them out for for yourself.

"Dead Meat by Sue Coe" is also a spot on read. I came across it while working in my prior college's library. Please consider reading it yourself.

The keys

Yesterday's workout was epic! I had the best ten minutes ever!
Folks, there is no need to focus on hours of working out if your eating is clean. Well that is unless, you're trying to compete.
While 20 - 40 minutes is better, you won't lose anything but fat for trying.
Ten minutes of intense HIIT cardio or strength is better than nothing.

So for right now, I don't own a scale, and I think it's been working in my favor.
We (myself highly included) have spent an enormous amount of time being conditioned to count calories. The happiest people are those who understand nutrition, the numbers and how to apply them both. Self education is the best way to empower yourself. It isn't a simple matter of calories in and out. It's about the quality of those calories and the quality of your workout.

So my keys to you? Invest in a kettlebell if you don't already own one!
If you do, call it your best friend. A kettlebell is an awesome double whammy of strength of cardio in each calculated maneuver.

Drink half your body weight in ounces of water.

Take two half hour contrast showers daily ending on cold.

Focus on your food. EVERYONE eats more than they work out (we hope) and eating contributes to 70 -80 percent of your fitness goals. Abs are made in the kitchen.
Trying to lose ten pounds? 8 of those fat pounds can be shed from eating clean.

We seriously don't need as much protein as we've been told.
And yes, you knew th
is one was coming..... Plants contain protein.

Protein is also made as a by product of fruits and veggies. Wow, most folks won't tell you that.
You need to dig that one up yourself. So if you're like "Whoa..I need protein, and plants don't have it."
Think again. Kale is an excellent source of iron, calcium and protein. So is any other dark green leafy vegetable. However, don't put fruits and other light colored veggies on a back burner. your body makes protein out of these also.

Water weight is a myth. I'm so tired of this madness. Look it up and see for yourself.
We are beings that are mostly water anyway.

Pure muscle contains 73% water
One pound of fat contains 70-80% lipids. This leaves 30-20 percent remaining of what? excrement/waste and yep you guessed it...water.
If you lose 20 pounds.. don't let anyone tell you it was water weight.
That's ridiculous.  Haters come in many shapes and sizes...especially the ones who don't have your drive.

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/1lb-does-not-equal-3500-calories/

http://articles.elitefts.com/training-articles/rehabilitation/power-shower/

Self skin tightening

After months of digging, I've found a few things you can do to keep your skin firm and full of elasticity while you are transitioning from working out. You know what I mean. Stretchmarks, most people can live with, and those who can't use shea and coconut butters. Eat loads of raw, uncooked cruciferous vegetables. Take vegan Borage oil supplements Moisturize with Extra Virgin coconut oils Essential Oil of peppermint - rub down with it. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water daily. Muscle training emphasis instead of relying so heavily on cardio. These methods combined will result in your skin thanking you later. Remember, the loose skin can also be a result of losing too much weight too quickly, as evidenced in Extreme Makeover weight loss edition. Participants lose well over 100 pounds in a year and "need" skin surgery. There would be no need for it if the weight loss were gradual, and the person was supplementing properly. I've seen a fitness model who lost 90 pounds in a year and she didn't get the surgery. All the best to the Best!

Disturbing trend

I can't begin to explain how annoying and disturbing it is to continue reading articles online that bash cold therapy. I've seen a news anchor get into a tub of ice cold water and then say that this is not recommended. I've read a report on a research study conducted where the participants ran downhill for 40 minutes and then where immersed in cylindrical vats of 5 degree water. Participants complained about the water being too cold. Really? Alright. There is sound research that proves that cryotherapy is important in muscle rehabilitation. This d5 degree research study only focuses on the efficacy of muscle repair based on the experiences of participants. Here are my questions. what was the age range of participants? How active were they? Was the introduction to the cold a gradual one or were the participants thrown into the experience? Besides muscle inflammation, what other facet was being measured? Do your own research and you will see that hydrotherapy /contrast showers and cryotherapy have enormous benefits. It helps to regulate mood by raising "feel good" hormone levels. It draws our dormant white blood cells from within your muscle tissue, circulating them throughout your body to destroy free radicals, and it makes you lose stubborn fat. Like holistic cures for cancer, cold therapy has been getting alot of negative press. There are methods in curing cancer that are quelled by big media, pharmaceutical companies, the FDA and laws that regulate free trade and commerce. I wouldn't be surprised if the reason why cold therapy/hydrotherapy etc has been continually thrown under the bus is because IT ACTUALLY WORKS! I've made believers out of two of my friends, and I am hoping to make a believer out of you! Study to show yourself approved!