Paleo! Day 9

A series of fortunate events...

A few months ago, saw a post on FB asking, "So who's in for the Whole 9 30 Day Challenge?"  I checked it out, and when I saw everything that you couldn't eat, I chalked it up to a crackpot diet.  Who wants to eat like a caveman, he's extinct, give me more pasta!

But it got me thinking...

So at the tender age of 40-something, I've decided that I'm tired of:

-being tired all the time

-aches and pains--I actually have a sore hip, I feel like I'm twice my age

-higher-than-usual bp (still normal, but not my usual low-end-of-normal normal)

-muffin top.  It just appeared!  I never knew quite what that was then I saw it in my mirror a few months ago and then I understood what muffin top was:(

-this nagging, stubborn extra 15 lbs

-etc., etc.

I've toyed with the idea of reducing/eliminating gluten from my kids' diets for years because they are, um, exceptionally energetic.  They are addicted, I'm sure.  Then I started developing all these little nagging problems and it hit me perhaps I should eliminate it from MY diet first (physician heal thyself)!

Read the book Wheat Belly (http://www.amazon.com/Wheat-Belly-Lose-Weight-Health/dp/1609611543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373388149&sr=8-1&keywords=Wheat+belly) and things started to click.

Then came across the word "paleo" and was intrigued.  Stumbled upon http://www.marksdailyapple.com and paleo/primal seemed like a good idea but I didn't know how to start.

Fortuitously, I then received an email from http://www.savingdinner.com (a meal planning site) about their 30 Day Paleo Challenge, complete with 5 wks of menus, shopping lists.  In short I plunked down the US$15 to save myself some thinking--and so far so good!

I had a brief tummy ache and cold sweat experience on Day 4, but I chalked that up to eliminating all the processed stuff from my system.  

On Day 8 left for a quick getaway with the family and totally fell off the wagon few days.  But I'm back!

So I'm trying to make it all the way through one of my wacky challenges without bailing a week into it.  Since I paid US$15 for this one, I would really like to ride this out and see if eliminating ALL grains, soy, processed sugar and dairy makes a difference in how I feel.  

End of summer update

Here's the update.  Been a long time.

Had a horrendous end of the school year.  Terrible friction with higher ups, that is all I am brave enough to say.   Lost 5lbs from not eating (and I NEVER don't eat). 

But then yay, went to Hawaii with family, all on frequent flyer miles from a credit card deal (sign up for an airline card, get like 100,000 miles kind of deal).  

July - Came back from vacation, ran regularly for a solid month while working each day trying to reclaim our two "hoarders rooms" that have become the catch alls for my parents' house stuff (sold that three years ago), unopened birthday toys for kids, the land of misfit furniture, etc.  I managed to reclaim one room, a partial victory!  Got it painted and ready for one kid to move into!  Progress.

Had another significant disagreement with higher ups, faced it head on and went to them to talk about it, and this issue solved.  I think...  Optimism.

Decided not to try local tri.  And stopped running end of July once that decision was made.  And haven't really exercised since.  Went for a checkup and was also diagnosed with depression--started taking Zoloft in July as well.  Not sure if it's working/helping yet, but I'm willing to give it a go.   Husband has been very understanding through it all, I am blessed.

August - Went to Haiti on a mission trip to an orphanage.  Witnessed life changing poverty coupled with a mind-blowing faith in God.  It was hot as all get-out, but I have a feeling I will be going back, kids at the orphanage were orphaned by their terrible earthquake 2 1/2 years ago, and they are incredible kids.  Hurricane Isaac hit less than a week later and severely damaged the orphanage we stayed at.  Haiti cannot catch a break.  Really puts life in perspective.

Getting ready to head back to work.  Doing a play.  Getting kids on track, getting me on track.  Peace.

Spring...successes....failures....choices

I trained for a HM...and made it to 9.5 miles, then decided I was bailing on the HM.  Too many tummy troubles while running over 3 or 4 miles.

It's a bittersweet thing, to drop out a month before the HM.  On the one hand, I feel like a quitter, of course.  But on the other hand, a few positives emerged...
1.  I made working out a priority 3x/week for 3 solid months.  Didn't miss one run.  Cut one or two short due to having to pick up or drive a kid somewhere, but it just became understood that Tues & Thurs were "gym days" and that was going to happen.  I am grateful to my kids & husband for supporting me getting healthier, HM or not!
2.  I proved to myself that I can jog for a couple of miles non stop--I am a proud (and uninjured) Gallowalker, I practice running with scheduled walk breaks of a minute (proposed and taught by Olympic marathoner Jeff Galloway).  So I had sort of brainwashed myself that I could not even make it more than 5 or so minutes without a walk break.  Well, mind over matter--blew myself away in February when I ran for 30 minutes straight on a whim, just to see if I could do it.  So you know what?  This Gallowalking actually did build up my endurance!  30 min!  Learned something new and amazing about my what my tired, 40-something body can accomplish and how my mind affects it!
3.  I realized I don't have to prove anything to anyone but me.  A HM is not in my tummy's cards right now, ok.  Now I can seek out shorter races, maybe that local Tri a little voice in my head has whispered about each year when it said, "You should be doing this..."  Maybe a Muddy Buddy...  So new, shorter distance, more diverse opportunities are out there. 

I also entered a 30 Day Shred Challenge on FB.  Yes, again.   I can tolerate Jillian and her torturous ways for about 2 weeks then my ADD kicks in and I can't do it any more!  So I'll try that again.  As long as I am doing SOMETHING to exercise, that is a positive too, right?

Spring has sprung, optimism abounds.  I am blessed to have choices.

Day 9 of my 30 Day Challenge

This is where my brain is, now that winter has arrived...

Goals:

• Exercise:  NOT YET...  But I have done it every day for 8 days (30 Day Shred 7 days and gym for treadmill the other day).
• 7 hrs minimum of sleep:  NO.  6 1/2.  Getting better, but still gotta work on this.
• Eating "cleaner":  Yes, all week.  For example, definitely 5 fruits/veggies.
• Track my food:  Have done it every single day.  Woo hoo.

Grateful:

• My son just brought me coffee before work:)

Day 6 of my 30 Day Challenge

Goals: 

• Exercise:  YES.  Got up & did L1D6 of 30 Day Shred.   I am now 20% DONE with it!
• 7 hrs minimum of sleep:  NO.  Only 6.  Gotta work on this.
• Eating "cleaner":  WILL UPDATE LATER, TBD!
• Track my food:  WILL UPDATE LATER, TBD!

Grateful:

• For time off, very much
• For returning to routines

Off to work, first day back for me & kiddos.  Yay!

Gratitude:That my oldest son's eyes are just like mine, and when he locks into my eyes, I am so proud:-)
That my husband is a good man, loyal and true...
That my youngest son love hugs:-)

I 30 Day Shredded again today, Level 1, Day 4 (L1D4).  So I feel like I'm on my way:-)

Goals for 2012:

• Complete (without dying) the training plan and the actual Half Marathon May 6, 2012.
• Log my food at myfitnesspal.com
• read at least a few articles a week at Sparkpeople.com
• Drop a few pounds (10ish would be great)

I'm off to a great start, have done Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for four days in a row now...my personal goal is to do it for 30 days in January (but I got a 3 day head start to allow for those days I can't work it in).

Am worried for when work starts back in two days, am hoping I can get out of bed a half hour early...wish me luck!

Best of luck to us all in our 2012 goals!

Day 2 of my 30 Day Challenge

JM 30DS
L1D2 Done.  It was harder than yesterday.  The real test, again, is when I go back to work Tues...

Off to New York City to see a bowl game:-)