The numbers really don't lie

So at work, I participated in this 6 week weight loss challenge with some co-workers. Didn't matter what program you did so I said sure, I'll do it. You weighed in every 2 weeks and you could get a spit out from those fancy fat analyzers. Well today was the last day of that program and I got my final fat analyzed. I think this coincides nicely with the end of my challenge, so I am going to share the numbers.

Start date was 16 Feb - which was just a week and a half or so before my paleo challenge started.

Total weight loss = 12 lbs

% fat loss = 3.5%

Change in fat free body mass = - 0.6lb

Actual pounds of fat lost = 11.2lbs

I'm really glad I have these numbers because it shows the opposite of what I was afraid was happening. I DID NOT LOSE MUSCLE. I lost fat. Fatty mcfat fat. I WIN again!

The other numbers in inches lost - now remember I had a cookie palooza the night before and was super bloated. I think that is why it is so dramatic in my waistline.

Waist - 4

Hips - 2

Boobs - 2

Thigh - 1.5

Arm - 0.5

This is pretty crazy right? Awesome results.

I didn't go crazy today either - since its no longer my 30 day challenge. I'm kind of just still doing paleo. Just not as strict I guess. I had raspberry chipotle sauce on my ground turkey today. woah - watch out!

I'm not going to lie. I haven't been feeling as great as I have in the past few weeks. But I am also Super Duper stressed about work, life, just stuff in general. I need to do more crossfitting.

OK people - that concludes my reporting on my paleo challenge. Oh yeah, I did pose some questions to Melissa and Dallas (of Whole30) and I got a response today - if you are interested in their response - check out their website and scroll through to the newest comments. Can't wait to meet these guys in May. http://whole9life.com/2009/07/the-w30/

Maybe I'll keep posting stuff - its kind of fun.

Day 30!!!

Today is my 30th day of my Whole30. I did it! But I knew I could. Like I said, I do what I say I'm gonna do - I just need to get psyched up about it.

Which leads me to Day 31. WTF am I going to do now? I feel a little lost, nervous and scared. I have totally shucked aside all Weight Watcher stuff - not counting points, not writing anything down, so I don't have a lot of motivation to start that up again. I am kind of thinking I just keep going.

I keep saying that the weight loss is not a factor, but who are we kidding. I would like to know I am losing weight. I've put my scale away as promised, but I'm going to weigh myself tomorrow to see what I have lost over the 30 days. I also took measurements and I'll see what changed there too. If the results are as positive as I feel, I can't see why I would stop doing this. The only thing I would change would be to allow the occasional cupcake at these damn showers.

When do I get to have a shower? AHA! I will have a I lost 100 pounds shower! I will register at Nordstrom and Banana Republic and maybe Williams Sonoma because I am cooking the you know what out of some food. Yeah, its only fair marrieds and baby mama's. Time to shower Melinda! Oh my, I digress.

I guess the bottom line is I like goals and I like plans. So I did my 30 days and now I need a new plan and / or goal. Until I figure that out, guess I'll just keep on keeping on. Ideas anyone??? Help a sister out!

P.S. Grilled tenderloin and asparagus is where its at! Yeah, its expensive, but I'm worth it!

What's next?

Today is Day 28 people! Holy Paleo Challenge!

I can't believe I only have a few days left of my challenge. I will tell you honestly I have not cheated once. Occasionally there may have been some non-paleo things in what I eat (from places I don't control ingredients) but no cheat meals. Not once. That is one thing about me - if I say I'm gonna do it, I do it. But usually it requires quite a bit of mental preparation and general psyching up.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do after this. I mean in terms of my diet and what my next goal should be. I really like these monthly goals I'm doing. It is so much easier to focus on ONE thing you want to do better than trying to change several things. And if you focus on something for like a month - I feel like it becomes habit. Except handstands. 30 days was not enough for that. I got them, but just not consistently.

You know what else I discovered? Not everyone can do a handstand. I totally thought it was just me that couldn't do them. Apparently fellow crossfitters are working on this too. I digress.

So my diet. I am thinking I just keep on going with the paleo thing. I mean, I feel really good. REALLY GOOD. I'm not sure if its in my head, or the weight loss makes me happier or if not eating grains, sugar or dairy really does change your body from the inside out. I'm thinking that in order to really get the most out of this experiment, I should try adding just one thing back in at first and only in very small amounts. So maybe I want feta in my salad - I will try this and see if I feel terrible or no change at all. Perhaps I will do this for 30 days. I miss sugar the most, but I think sugar really is the devil and there may actually be no room in my life for the devil. EVER. AGAIN. Except cupcakes. Cupcakes are like little sugar angels that are a necessary part of one's life.

You know what happened to me today at Target? I was shopping with my friend Bea and I decided that I would give myself an Easter basket. So I was picking out the candy and toys and stuff and decided on a very small amount of 1) M&Ms 2) Malted Milk Balls (Easter is not complete without these) and 3) a Reese's peanut butter egg. You know what happened next? My mouth and teeth started hurting just thinking about eating this stuff. Like thinking about it now? I'm gritting my teeth thinking about the graininess of the sugar. How effing weird is that? I will experiment with eating this and tell you what happens. But maybe I won't want it on Easter? Ok - it is chocolate - you are right - that is just crazy talk.

Oh another weird thing. My hair is growing super fast. Its getting really long. Which is great - but I really think it is growing faster than normal. Is this because of paleo too?

Holy crap - where was I?

Oh yes, goals. April goal. Hmmm. I think this one needs to be crossfit related. Maybe like a pull up. I don't think that is possible in one month. I did manage to get a couple on the red band the other day which blew my freaking mind. I wonder what comes after the red band? I think maybe the real deal. Holy crap. Something Rx. Holy crap.

Today, I leave you with a picture of yet another freaking shower cupcake I did not eat this weekend. I'm not sure you can eat something with a baby on it anyway. Stupid babies. This picture is in honor of my new friends Shane and Mary. I wish you both the best and safe safe safe travels.

food

Tomorrow I am going to go see a nutritionist. I really do not know if it will make a difference but I am still having a hard time with Paleo. I am wiped out all of the time. I know it has only been 2 weeks and it is suppose to take longer but I really don't think I should feel this worn out. No, I am not limiting myself. I am just eating. I tried upping the fruit but I still feel blah. I have lost 3 lbs. but that could have been from the sugar. I gave sugar up for Lent. Oh how I want a cupcake. That damn cupcake ad keeps popping up on facebook. I even said it was offensive but it keeps tempting me with its deliciousness.

Dreaming of grains

Last night I had a dream that I ate a giant banana nut muffin. And I was so sad that I cheated. I am no cheater. This was just a dream.

Dreams are weird. I think this one was telling me that maybe grains need to be added in at Day 31 in moderation. I am not dreaming about dairy.

Muffins are basically breakfast cupcakes. Maybe I am still dwelling on the cupcake from the weekend. Damn you cupcakes!

Racing to the cupcake

Yesterday I competed in my first race ever. My first athletic event EVER. OK thats not true - I used to be on a dance team, but this is the first athletic competition other than dance. 2K indoor rowing. I got a 8:43 - not a PR, but still pretty good I guess. PR would have been 8:38. I couldn't keep my pace steady and only practice I think would have helped that. Sara C - who is awesome - helped me through this and made me feel better afterwords by telling me that losing weight actually hurt my time (bigger bodies produce more power and can go faster). I love her for this. If this is the negative from losing weight - hey, I'll take it.

I didn't train at all other than keeping up with crossfit WODs and pilates. There were half a dozen or so other crossfitters who entered and frankly, we held our own with those rowing club members. A true testament to the badasses we have at crossfit Durham, but also a testament to the programming of our crossfit WODs. Functional fitness. I also thought it was funny that some kids met pukie. Maybe it was nerves, but I kept thinking this is just a normal WOD kids.

A big ginormous shout out to fellow crossfitters Courtney and Erin and Matt who rowed for 30 minutes. Brutal. I would never want to do that unless someone was chasing me in the water and I needed to get away. Seriously. 2K is enough. Period.

I was SO nervous and not sure why I had signed up for this torture, but am so glad I did. And just kept telling myself what Dave kept telling me, its just another WOD. Oh and the really cool part - other than all of my fellow crossfitters telling me how good I did - was my name was actually on my erg. My name. As a competitor. Hee hee - never would have thought I would see that if you asked me a couple of years ago - or really even a few months ago.

And if you are wondering about the cupcake part - I had a bridal shower after this and they served ginormous cupcakes. I love cupcakes. Its like a little miniature party anytime you eat one. A little cake, a lot of frosting. Yum. But Melinda, you are doing paleo for 30 days! Yep, so I didn't have one. AND IT WAS HARD PEOPLE. Hard I tell you. Then they also had that special bridal / baby shower punch with the sherbet and ginger ale. Didn't have that either and wanted that too. This would have been the special occasion that a paleo cheat would be totally OK. But I no cheaty. At least not for my 30 days.

Week 4 starts tomorrow!

Bacon and some other stuff

I'm really not sure how I have lived so many years without bacon as a standard staple in my diet. Bacon is pretty gross when you think about it and look at it - perhaps that is why I have avoided it. But cooked up crisp or wrapped around a pork chop or mixed in with your burger - I forget the grossness and enjoy the delectable porcine goodness.

Take a pork chop, dollop a little apple butter on top (fruit juice sweetened of course) and wrap the whole mess up in a couple slices of bacon - bake for 45 min at 375 and you get my favorite bacon meal yet. Picture shown is this delicious masterpiece.

I am also enjoying bacon with my morning hard boiled egg whites.

Calories still count on paleo, so I'm trying to be aware of the potential overuse of this fatty mcfatty treat.

What's your favorite bacon meal?

P.S. I ate some paleo fudge last night that I had made for the superbowl paleo party. It keeps in the freezer so thats not gross. I love that stuff. Totally satisfied any cravings.

http://www.drbenkim.com/how-make-healthy-fudge-brownies.htm

P.S.S. As promised the scale has officially been put away. It is weird unchartered territory to not care what the scale is saying everyday sometimes 4-5 times a day. But I feel FREE! Disclaimer - still weigh once a week at Weight Watchers though.

P.S.S.S. I love P.S.'s. Anywho - forgot to mention that I feel a little awkward in my Weight Watchers meetings now. I have slacked on tracking things and have no interest in finding the lowest point item. Frankly, its been really nice not to THINK so much about food. Am I considering straying from WW? Could I go Paleo full time? Well I think this is just crazy talk too. I'm still not convinced you could really "live" like this.

Fighting it

Well it was bound to happen. The sugar cravings are in pretty high gear. I am guessing it is hormonally related, but can't be sure. I sure would like a giant brownie.

Is dark chocolate paleo? I mean really dark - like 80%+. Surely there is not much sugar in that? I need to look that up. OOOOOHHH! I have cacao nibs. I need to think of way to make those edible.

P.S. I'm not sure I can tell a big difference in my training performance since going paleo. But I cranked out 2 pull ups on the red band tonight. For perspective - pull ups on the black band were not even possible not long ago. WIN!

P.S.S. Day 17 and I'm just now getting the cravings. First day I have thought about Day 30 and - oh good, I am over halfway there!

Holy Hundred!

Well I did it. I finally did it. I have officially lost over one hundred pounds.

No surgery. No magic pill. No easy quick fixes.

But it is simple: good nutrition and exercise (and a healthy dose of determination, sprinkled with good support).

This milestone comes with a bunch of mixed emotions. I feel very very proud of myself and very happy to see how I've changed - and not just physically. But I also feel alot of shame about letting this happen in the first place. Trying really hard not to feel the shame, but posting the before pics are super hard.

Have I lost weight before? Sure. Alot of weight? Sure. Not this much though. I had never been this heavy before either. To be honest, thinking back to being almost 300 pounds (I know - here is the shame again), you can go either one way or the other. You can either totally give up and just get ginormous or you can decide to fight "it". You know what "it" is? I think "it" is the 300 pound mark. I think 300 pounds maybe feels like the point of no return. Like there is no way you can be healthy again because you have too far to go.

I don't know what clicked or what happened to make me decide to make a change. I wish I could remember so I could hold onto that. I do know a couple of things that jump started me into a new lifestyle (that is what Dave says I have - a new lifestyle - Dave is my BFF at crossfit).

First, I did a 30 day challenge (hmm, kind of like what I am in the middle of). I went vegan for 30 days. I psyched myself up, cleaned out my cupboards, the whole nine yards. And I did it. 30 days and lost about 30 pounds and learned how to eat real, good, nutritious food and lost a bunch of bad habits. Eventually I went on to be vegetarian, then missed meat and went on to weight watchers where I still am today.

The other thing that jump started me was the introduction to crossfit. You should read my post about my first experience at crossfit - I think it is one of the earlier posts on here.

Anywho - the point is that Dave and Greg never made me feel like I did not belong. THAT IS KEY! I think when you are big, you never really feel like it is OK for you to be anywhere.

I also really like crossfit which obviously helps. I like everything about it. The intensity, the ability to have adult play time (handstands!!!!), the variety, but most importantly the community. My crossfit friends are so so so influential. But not in a bad way. I firmly believe you adopt the habits of those you choose to associate with. I can't thank you guys enough. Your support and encouragement and frankly the fact that you tell me not to sandbag means so much to me. Not to mention the countless times you tell me I am badass. I like to be badass.

If you are wondering how I let this happen to myself - well I could tell you my sad song, but really, all my song is, is an excuse. I wish I wouldn't have let this happen, but I wish I didn't have a dead brother too. Stuff happens.

It scares me to think it will come back. My bad habits are deeply deeply rooted. But this time, this weight loss, is for me by me. Not for some dude or some other stupid reason, but for me. It's really all about me. Lets face it, if you can't make your life all about you, then it's not really your life is it?

I still have a ways to go, but as my friend Lei said to me, "time to ride the nutrition train to fitness land". Agreed Lei.

P.S. Today starts Week 3 of Paleo. Can't believe it. It's not been as hard as I thought it was going to be.

P.S.S. Posting my before pics and then an after pic of me in some pants I was wearing not even at my heaviest (hi there shame, there you are again). I apparently didn't take many pictures back then, imagine that.

P.S.S.S. About a year and a half people. No quick fixes.

Sunday Check In

One week down in my paleo challenge. This week has definitely put the challenge in "paleo challenge." As many of you may know, Jack and I are starting our own firm. We were supposed to be opening April 1st, but that plan was suddenly changed and instead of having 2 1/2 weeks to finish setting up our office, we are going to be open in just one week, with clients scheduled already for our first week. Needless to say, we have a LOT of work to do. Certain events leading up to this sudden change of plans have done their best to derail my diet and exercise plan. In a normal situation, I would have skipped my workout and ordered a pizza (and dessert). This week, on many occasions, I was faced with that decision, but chose instead to work out my stress through the WOD. I managed to stay paleo and get in 4 WODs this week.

At the beginning of the week, I asked myself, "Why did I choose now, of all times, to start a 30 day challenge?" This has got to be the worst time to do something like that, which, in a way, makes it the best time. If I can stick to my paleo diet this whole month and get all my workouts in, then I really have no excuse not to do the same when things are going smoothly, right?

On another note, I went to a St. Patrick's Day party this weekend and I have to say, St. Patrick's Day might be one of the easiest holidays to eat paleo! Corned beef and cabbage is pretty tasty. Maybe not totally paleo for the diehards, given the salt content, but pretty darn good.

Also, I've decided not to weigh myself during this challenge, so you won't be getting any updates on pounds lost each week. I've decided that I get too caught up in the scale and it ends up derailing my efforts. This time, I took a picture before the challenge and I'll take one after and compare the results. It definitely takes a lot of pressure off if I'm not weighing myself all the time. I recommend this approach.

So, that's it for this week. See you next Sunday!

Day 2 of Paleo

Today is my second day of paleo and I am feeling a little icky. I know it is suppose to take a few weeks to work through this. I am going to continue on my crusade of better living through better food.

All the cool kids are doing it

So, I have decided to go Paleo for the next 3 weeks. Why 3 weeks you ask? Because it is 3 weeks until Easter and I do not plan on avoiding any kind of food on the second best (maybe even the best because of all of the chocolate) food day of the year. Starting tomorrow, no grain. I will probably do dairy still. I do not eat that much dairy but I do like milk in my coffee. Why am I doing this you ask? I could lie and say it is for my health, but really it is because my sister's wedding is coming up and I want to look good in the dress.

By the way I added 2 links to the friend section. They are: Ashley's blog and Local. If you are in the Chapel Hill area and do not already know; Crossfit Local opened in Feb. It is an awesome gym run by to amazing people.

Stress while paleo'ing

So the last couple of days have been super stressful. The heating and air guys found some excessively dangerous amounts of mold in my crawlspace that carries a $10K price tag to fix. I mean seriously, who has that kind of money to throw around to do anything let alone do something crappy with it like fix mold.

Anywho - my point of this is to say that in the past, things like this lead me to my old standby of pizza, cake, cookies...whatever. Comfort food. This time, this did not happen. I didn't even have an urge to do this. I remember having a thought like, "this is what I used to do", but not to the point where I headed out to the nearest Harris Teeeter. Instead, I reached out for help. Huh, people will help me? That is a new concept for me to understand.

I don't understand it, but seriously wonder if the paleo-style eating does in fact change your emotional relationship with food as the folks at Whole30 mentioned. Or am I just hyper sensitive to the fact that I committed to 30 days? This is a possibility, although I have to say that I have quit counting days. I am not like, counting down the days until I can have bread. THAT IS WEIRD.

If you read the Whole30 blog post, you will see that others mention this over and over. That it changes the way you look at food. I went into this with a very open mind. Looking at this as an experiment, so perhaps this has allowed me to see changes. I don't know.

This seems like a touchy feely post.

So the other thing going on is that I am so freakin close to losing 100 pounds. 100 pounds people - that is a small adult female. This means alot to me. It has been super hard work. Proof that you can lose weight, even alot of weight, without surgery or pills. HARD WORK does it just fine. Slow, but just fine. I had my great aunt's giant diamond set to celebrate this milestone. I was point one of a pound away from reaching 100 the day I found out about the mold. I guess my body said fight or flight in response to the stress and held on to an extra pound of water. I gained instead of lost. The ring continues to be on hold. Thats OK, I will get there. Once I reach 100, I commit to stop obsessing over the scale and just keep doing what I am doing and let nature take its course.

So to sum it up - it is possible that eating paleo can reduce your urges to stress eat. It is also possible to lose 100 pounds without surgery or pills. And, it is possible to rely on your friends for support instead of food.

Total paleo success people

Craving italian? How about trying some paleo italian. Hells yeah - spaghetti squash is. where. it's. at.

Tonight I feasted on spaghetti made with spaghetti squash + ground bison + newman's own tomato and onion sauce. Had a side of baked zucchini. This was excellent and totally hit the italian spot.

I know. Newman's Own is not 100% paleo, but the one ingredient that is not paleo, sugar, is very low on its list of ingredients. In the name of all that is good and holy, I needed a tiny bit of convenience tonight.

Spaghetti squash is ridiculously simple to make. Get one, cut in half, scoop out guts, throw one half in oven (for single / double serving - I was hungry - don't judge) at 375 for about half an hour. I nuked mine for a few minutes because I needed food pronto. Take out of oven and string out using a fork. This stuff soaks up all the goodness that was my sauce. This rocked. I can't say it enough. Maybe I was just super hungry.

Seriously, I need to find a caveman that would appreciate this kind of kitchen masterpiecery.

WOD induced starvation

In the words of my friend Mandy - I am about to rage on some food. Stay tuned for an awesome photo of this masterpiece. Holy hannah my body wants food immediately. Hurry and cook damnit! Paleo is not always a convenience food.

P.S. WOD for tonight was 4 rounds of row 250, run 200.

Holding myself accountable

Okay, so it's 2 days into my 30 day paleo challenge. I've decided that I will keep myself accountable by posting once a week, at the end of each week. I'm hoping that knowing I have to post each week will encourage me to stick with it when the cravings inevitably kick in. Only 28 days to go! See you on Sunday.

Sugar?

I listened to the People's Pharmacy today. Their topic was cholesterol. Last year I had my cholesterol tested. It was high and so was my triglyceride level. One of the PhDs interviewed said he believes sugar is the main problem. I have heard this in other places too. I have given sugar up for Lent for other reasons but I am hoping it has benefits in this area too. They also had a researcher from http://www.consumerlab.com They look into vitamin supplements so you know what you are actually getting. There is a yearly fee but I think it might be worth it.

Kitchen gadgetry

Today I went shopping again for pants that don't fall down. After many many many try ons and sample cleans in the dressing room, I came home with a $50 sports bra. Still searching for pants that don't fall down. Sigh.

But I had no problem buying some new kitchen gadgetry. I tried to make a smoothie today and killed my immersion blender. Those make mean smoothies, so I went to our local BB&B and purchased one. Then I also found an Al-Clad grill pan. It was pricey, but I'm cooking alot of meat, and it is not always convenient to go outside and grill. BB&B has many many gadgets. They kept sneaking in my cart. It was very easy for me to purchase things that were going to make this challenge easier.

HOLY COW, this pan rocks. It cooked up my last pork chop evenly at low temperature. Also cooked the ole zucchini in the same pan. But the best part is that it cleaned up so easily! YAY! I have a LaCruset one that is a bitch to clean, so I never want to use it. This one is awesome. You should go pick one up.

I used coconut milk tonight to develop a sauce for my chop. I combined light coconut milk, OJ, lime juice and cinnamon + tiny bit of agave. Sprinkled a few coconut flakes in. I spooned a couple of spoonfuls on said chop. It was pretty good. Too much lime maybe. Maybe next time, will do without the lime. But this sauce - would probably be VERY good frozen as an "ice cream" treat. I love coconut, so I must be careful with experimenting with it.

I hit a brick wall again shopping today. I think I need to carry more snacks with me. I ate a half a lara bar (why do they have to be so damn expensive and where can I find the "mini" ones locally? Oh and did you know they had a new tropical one? Its delish. I digress). Anywho - my point is I think my eggs and bacon breakfasts on the weekend need much much more carbs. I just can't figure out how to do veggies for breakfast. I do fruit, but maybe I just have to amp up my fruit. Still experimenting.

P.S. We found out that the Whole30 herself will be coming to CFDurham in May. I'm stoked!

Team Paleo

I'm hesitant to post this because I've started paleo challenges and stopped them so many times that I don't think anyone will take me seriously. I know I wouldn't :)

But, I told Melinda I would join her in her paleo challenge and that I would post here as well so we could see each other's progress. I had no intention of doing a paleo challenge. I love eating paleo and can definitely tell a difference in the way I look and feel when I eat paleo style, but I didn't want to go 30 days without cheating. However, I've been impressed lately with the progress I've seen in other crossfitters, both in our gym (Durham and Local) and other gyms once they really focused on their diet and training and I want to see those results as well. So, I'm joining Melinda in this challenge. This is my Day 1.

No post dinner muffin top

So it has been 5 days total that I have adopted a paleo-ish diet. I've lost 6 pounds and feel pretty awesome. Someone tonight told me I was glowing. And I'm definitely not pregnant. Paleo? Could be.

So you might be wondering why I say paleo-ish. I say that because I am doing the best I can while still living a normal life. For example, tonight at a restaurant I ordered teriyaki beef plate that came with sauteed spinach and grilled asparagus. I'm sure there was some salt, sugar (teriyaki), butter, or other paleo no-no's, but I made the best choice I could.

First of all, that is a meal worth paying for. It was yumola. Second, it was a lot of food and people were kind of jealous of what I ordered. We should address the righteous feeling that comes along with eating this way, but I will leave that for another post. Third, I ATE THE WHOLE PLATE OF FOOD and still sat comfortably in my jeans for the rest of the night. Usually when I go out out, I don't eat much because of the whole tight pants thing that comes after you eat. This did not happen. At all. Holy hannah, that may be the single most interesting piece of the experiment so far.

Earlier today had I posted I would have been very negative. I felt pretty bad. Like my body just wanted me to stop. I didn't eat much at all this morning = one egg white and 4 almonds and half a lara bar after pilates. Went shopping (topic for another post!) and had to sit in the dressing rooms for awhile I was so tired. Went home and ate eggs, bacon and a pear and sunbutter (my new fave snack). Still felt crappy. Didn't really feel better until I ate dinner. Basically I am learning that a protein heavy meal is going to make me feel crappy, whereas a protein / carb (veggie) balanced meal, makes me feel awesome.

Experimenting is cool.

P.S. I still totally wanted to chow on the cheesy spinach and artichoke dip and pitas that the whole table was eating. There is strength that comes from abstaining.

6k

When I started Crossfit last April I could barely row 250 meters. On Monday I rowed a 6k. It took me longer than anyone else but I was proud that I was able to finish. It took me 30 min and 5 seconds. I was really hoping to get it under 30 min. Oh well. I do have to remember to equalize my ipod. Rhiahna just wants to yell while everyone else is singing at a normal level. Yesterday Greg had us do 2 sprint ladders on the rower. I think it was worse then the 6k. My total was just over 3k. I was doing fairly well at staying around 2 min mark (per 500 meters). That is quite an improvement.

Let the experiment begin

So this morning I woke up craving a ginormous bowl of oatmeal and I don't even eat oatmeal very often. I'd say the much anticipated carb cravings have begun. I also feel VERY VERY hungry. Like even right after I eat. So I ate a little more today. I need to find a good balance that does not always end in me eating a lara bar. I'm trying to consciously be mindful of how much of things like avocado, nuts and lara bars I eat. No need to overdo it. And I could totally overdo it with those things. In fact, I did this evening. I am full. Like really full and haven't felt that way so far on paleo. I ate dinner from Day 1 again. But more meat and added guacamole instead of plain avocado. Then I ate this "grok bar" that Dave gave me (which was mother f'ing good by the way). Full - very full.

I weighed in at Weight Watchers today. Weight Watchers (WW) wants you to eat dairy and whole grains, so my leader was not thrilled about my experiment. Its just 30 days - relax. Anywho - I lost another pound, which means about 3 "real" pounds (I say real because I lost an additional 3 pounds of cookie palooza) lost in about 4 days. I'm going to tweak some things next week if this continues because it makes me nervous to lose that fast. That sounds ridiculous I know, but the WW tools told me to slow down, blah blah heart murmers, anemia, blah blah. I am sure this is just water and it will level off in the next couple of days.

Today at crossfit I was kind of faster than normal maybe. I don't know. Kettlebells and situps, both of which I do decently already. I was SOOOOOOO thirsty though. I thought that was weird. I drink a gallon of water a day already. Why would I be so thirsty?

I don't think about cheese at all, but I am CONSTANTLY thinking about grains. Its like everything I read, hear, smell - grains.

So I'm not going to say this is hard, giving up heroin is hard. But I will say it is challenging...

Things that have snuck in

So I think I am accidentally eating things that are not Paleo: salt, balsalmic vinegar. Plus I chowed on a Lara bar that I realized afterwards was peanut butter = peanut. Oops.

I've really got to branch out on the flavorings. I don't use dressing on salads anymore - in fact, I haven't done so in a very long time. I just use balsalmic vinegar or nothing if there is fruit and cheese in my salad. I'm not sure I can take in my normal big ass salad without balsalmic vinegar. Suggestions for a similar salad "dressing"? I really enjoy my big ass salads, so it would be a shame not to keep in in the rotation.

Little Known Fact about Beatrice

I used to be a wimp. By that I mean, I use to give up a lot when it came to sports. I would decided to run a mile and it would hurt so I would stop. I love swimming and was not bad at it but I was never a Ryan Hendren. He was an amazing swimmer at my high school. Seriously the man was beautiful to watch he could just cut through the water and it looked effortless. He was like a dolphin. I was a tadpole in comparison. I could run the 100 meter and was not too bad at that either but not great, far from great. So, I would see people sail past me and then just quit. I decided about 3 years ago that I did not want to be that person anymore.
Rich and I set out to run a marathon. About 3 months into the program I sprained my ankle badly. That was it for that year. Then I met a girl named Kate. She wanted to run a marathon so I started to train with her. I plopped down the $135 to run the Disney and that was it. It was in Jan. I started training in June. Remember, I could not Run a mile. I started using a book that slowly introduces you to running by making you walk and run. It was great. Until I got: bronchitis, 2 ear infections and a sinus infection all at once. Oh, and my friend dropped out. I decided, F@#% it. I am going to do it any way. I went the Month of Nov and half of Dec with out running but I did it anyway. It was hard and I was slow but I did it. Now I do not quit anymore. I just keep going, because it might take a while but the pain will go away at some point and I feel like I can respect myself more if I keep going. Dolphin I am not, but I can be a badass little tadpole.

Pea Shoots - sure I'll try that

Day 3 - feeling a little tired, but stayed up late. Had late night coffee. ooops.

I really wanted my dinner from Day 1 again - but thought I would branch out. My fridge is chock full of spectacular colorful goodness. I had pea shoots with my dinner tonight. How can you not walk by something labeled "pea shoots" and not want to purchase them? I know, right? Pea shoots raw were just OK. I used them as a lettuce substitute. Like for my salad. Kind of a grassy taste. Looks like grass, so seems logical. I am thinking that they would be good stir fried maybe. I'd give em a go again. And maybe add bacon! Yes! I will try that.

Perhaps I should share my day time stuff too.

Breakfast #1 - about 1/8 cup of OJ with my green drink powder, 2 hard boiled egg whites, 4 almonds

Breakfast #2 - 2 oz no salt turkey from WF + no sugar added applesauce / cinnamon

Lunch - big ass salad with chicken, sunflower seeds and balsalmic vinegar; fruit cup (from cafeteria salad bar)

Snack - before adult sorority (boo) - banana + cashew macadamia nut butter

I am thinking that I might be eating too much fruit - but maybe it doesn't matter yet.

Lost another pound. I know its just water, but it is still a pound.

Oh - interestingly, eating this way keeps me within my Weight Watchers points so far. So maybe its possible to be a paleo weight watcher. But thats just crazy talk.

The Truth About Fish Oil

I thought since so many of us are consuming massive amounts of fish oil I should post this article. I haven't had time to explore the issue and whether or not its a real concern, but I think it's worth looking into.

In the name of friendship

I ventured to the land of carbtastic goodness for dinner on Day 2 for my friend Jack. We went to Maggiano's for his b-day.

How to make pasta and bread and cheezy goodness paleo-like? You don't. You don't get the pasta, you don't get the bread and you definitely don't get the cheesy goodness (or chocolate cake). What you can get is delicious normal food and a night out with your friends.

I ordered the Beef Braciole hold the pasta and add steamed veggies. It was delish - I wish I would have snapped a photo. There was some cheese, but the waiter promised me it was but a tiny ingredient. Wondering if this heightens your taste buds for the things you have eliminated because I was able to taste the tiny bit of cheese. And my paleo tastebuds were less than 2 days old. You really never fully know what you are getting when eating out anyway. You just do your best.

Would Byers have been OK with this? Probably not, I'd probably be fired and not allowed back in to her challenge. For me, it is still within the boundaries of this challenge. I mean you still have to live your life. Well, maybe I'm a little disappointed truth be told as I typically do all or nothing.

But anyway, I count this as a successful Day 2. Again, if you think this is about the caveman, and eliminating every ounce of non-paleoness in your life, you are missing the point. The point is about experimenting with how food makes me feel. Beef Braciole made me feel full and satisfied whereas I feel certain the pasta-bready-cheesy goodness would have made me feel like crap. And again, giving up heroin is hard. This is not hard giving up pasta-bready-cheesy goodness.

P.S. I have lost the 3 pounds of cookie palooza.

P.S.S. Thanks to my fellow diners who let me be high maintenance and supported me in counting this as a successful Day 2!

Whole30 for a whole 30

I have been toying with a 30 day challenge since January. Just didn't know what I wanted to do. I really have to psyche myself up for these kinds of things. Well, I did and I am psyched. I'm going paleo style for 30 days. Pretty much following the advice given over at Whole30.

http://whole9life.com/2009/07/the-w30/

I have to say, Whole30 is probably the best tough love regarding nutrition I've seen in a long time. Melissa Byers (of Urban Gets Diesel) really tells it like it is. The things that resonate with me most are 1) Its not hard - giving up heroin is hard - this is not hard eating good quality food. 2) If you think it is about the caveman, you are missing the point.

I agree. I'm looking at this as an experiment. Kind of excited I guess. I wonder what I'm going to feel like, how I will perform and even if I will look different.

I eat clean about 90% of the time, so the big changes are no dairy (i heart cheese sticks) and no grains (I have brown rice pasta at least 2 or 3 times a week). I am still tracking my food and activity in my weight watchers tools and I'm still going to go to the meetings - just because I think it will add something to my experiment.

So, I took on the challenge and I am going to report my progress right here on our blog.

Day 1 was not so bad. I had a terrible cookie palooza last night in preparation and I really do regret it. I felt awful today. I'm sure tomorrow will be better. I am posting a picture of my first dinner. It was actually awesome. Giant bed of cabbage with ground beef and spices and onion, tomatoes, red pepper and avocado.

Overall message re: Day 1 - cookies are evil; raw cabbage is a good noodle substitute - who knew?