Recently I finished the Ultimate Reset – a 21 day whole food, three meals a day, vegetarian cleanse/detox.

This is nothing new.

Since 2010 when I started what I thought would be a short-term health/fitness kick, I always seem to be on some sort of new wellness project. For that “kick” turned into a lifestyle, a passion, and a profession.

Kick no more.

My family has been incredibly supportive of my efforts over the years, but I was afraid this one would prove to be too much for the peace and sanity of household. For three weeks there would be no coffee, no sugar, no white flour, no processed food, no animal protein (except for a tad in week one), and meals would consist of fruits, vegetables, and grains such as brown rice, millet, and quinoa. While I adapted the recipes for the kids – no reason for them to go cold turkey (heh, heh), I did ask them to try everything that I would be making.

They agreed.

My husband also agreed and stuck to the 21 day meal plan along with me, while my children, very respectfully, would try a recipe and then respond with, “Um, no thank you.”

In the end, I learned that my body appreciated every bit of the retreat.

And that I have the coolest family on the planet.

I was tempted during my 21 days.

And it was MY CHILDREN that stopped me from falling prey.

“Mom, NO PIRATE BOOTY! You are on the Reset! Give that to me RIGHT NOW!”

“Mom, NO. No! Stop. Put the goldfish [pepperidge farm] down! NOW!”

“I can’t believe you have not had coffee since you started the Reset. That’s amazing!”

“Mom, are you missing buffalo wings?” (Ok, that wasn’t helpful. And, yes. Yes, I was.)

Even though they would open the fridge to find it stuffed (literally) with a rainbow of nature’s color, and still proclaim, “There’s nothing to eat”, there remained a real sense of encouragement and solidarity from my kids. My husband was just pleased that his bride of 22 years was FINALLY packing lunch for him everyday. All of them, however? They genuinely wanted me to succeed. And to feel better after the long, gray winter.

Humbling.

I’m always excited when my children succeed.

I didn’t realize they felt the same for me.

And succeed I did. To the tune of 10 lbs and 10 inches off my frame. I have not returned to coffee. Or meat.

I’m going all-out-Bieber when I say, “I will never say never”, for I am certain I’ll sip a cup of java at some point. And buffalo wings will most certainly be on a future menu. But, the food and drink not nearly as important as learning that my family allows me to be me, and is open to attempting new things . . . and cheers me on even when they don’t necessarily want to adopt my latest adventure for themselves.

And this is why, as a fitness coach, I tell all my new clients to get the family on board. Brady-style family meeting in the family room that is too small for such a huge family. They may not have to literally DO what you are doing, but their support is a larger part of the journey then one may originally think.

Thanks George, Harper, and Zane.

I finished all the pirate booty today.