I am trying new things everyday in terms of food and for the first time in a week I'm craving something more. Lunch was totally not exciting and food is hard to consume, not because I don't like it but because I'm sort of bored with it. I stop when I'm full and that doesn't take much anymore. I guess that's a good problem to have but it's weird because I see people eating delicious things like chocolate chocolate cookies, ice cream, cheesecake, mac n cheese, etc and my mind says "YES PLEASE!" and today Eboni even said "I won't judge you if you gte dessert" but I just can't bring myself to do it. Something is holding me back. It's kind of a weird feeling to want something in my head but not have a taste for it. I'm loving this Paleo thing. I know that its different for everyone but I'm having a lot of luck with it. I don't know that I'll be able to go back. I just feel so good. But I will say the whole cookie, ice cream, bread thing is mental for me. I talked myself out of it today because I knew if I went there I'd not feel good so I went a different direction. Sipping on tea and had some dried mango. Clean living. It's a challenge but it makes me feel good.
The truth is I haven't had processed foods in over a week, I've not had diet soda in over a week, I've had a little coffee with raw sugar and whole milk (if you do dairy, do it in moderation and whole fat only). I have given into hot chocolate (which is probably bad and definitely processed) but I felt it would be good upper and it was.
I have been lifting twice this week (once today, once Sunday), three days a week is enough and it's not advised to do more than that. I walk 5 days a week and I figure this is good for now. I'm seeing results even if it's only been a few days.
The first picture is me in December 2012 and the second is me today January 31, 2013
So I took a photo when I got dressed this am because I'm amazed at how my clothes are fitting. The pants I'm wearing in the picture haven't fit me in quite a few years and the sweater was bought in September but I wasn't able to button it closed. I can't believe how bloated I was and how not bloated I am in the picture today. Everything from my face to my stomach. I have taken a few photos of my stomach over the past week so I can track the level and what it looks like and trust me it's totally different!!!
I'm shocked honestly. I'm staring at the "before Paleo" picture amazed at how bloated I looked. And I'm feeling good about Paleo today. I know I see major differences because I have a smaller frame and it's easier for me to notice differences on myself but I'm shocked.
I find comfort in some of the podcasts I listen to daily. I find that hearing folks answer questions helps me. I feel less lost and alone because I know I'm not the only one going through this. It's a great way to start my day. Drinking a full 32 oz water bottle and listening while I play with Stella, walk Stella, and cook breakfast for us.
I am enjoy these lifestyle changes and finding it to be to my benefit.
Looking forward to seeing more results as the weeks go on....
More to come !
So one week in and I've lost 2.4 lbs. That's a lot for me in one week! I'm very excited about this and am looking forward to what's to come.
I should share that I walk with Stella for at least 30 minutes most mornings and if we aren't walking, we are playing or I'm stretching or doing yoga in the living room. Yesterday I went to the gym and lifted for 30 minutes. I did arms and legs and some ab workouts.
No cardio other than walking though folks! According to various sources, cardio, like running or intense marathons are a misconception and are really hard on your body. Listen to "Paleo Lifestyle and Fitness" Podcast on itunes and hear more. It is said that sprinting is better and has less impact on your body.
I find that walking for 45 minutes is giving me really serious energy. I cannot believe how I feel. Walking and lifting with some yoga has given me a new outlook. I am able to do more, walk longer and faster, I can jump, I just feel better.
I believe Paleo in addition to this low intensity workout regime has changed me and my body. My stomach is flatter and I can fit into pants I haven't been able to wear in a few years. And the real truth is, I'm not starving, just the opposite is happening! I'm eating, lots and yummy food. I do not have to deprive myself of things just to make sure I'm following the "diet."
I want coffee, I have some coffee with almond milk, I want brownies, I make Paleo brownies with avocado. I don't miss the old stuff. Well that's a lie, sometimes it's hard to not think about pizza or pancakes but then I remember how awful I felt afterward and how good I feel right now.
I wake up at 5:51am everyday without an alarm and I hang with Stella then we walk. A few weeks ago, getting out of bed before 7am was a struggle. I could not do it. I was weak, full, gross feeling and just plan exhausted. Now I'm sleepy at night but not tired. My entire body is aching from tired or overwork, it's a good sleepy. I hit the pillow between 930 and 1030 and I'm out. A good restful night sleep and I wake up refreshed. Never in my life has that happened.
Eboni use to say to me, "I think you're not getting nutrition because you're always tired" and now I think she's been right all along. I have been not getting what it is that my body needs to be healthy. I am healthy now. I just don't eat gluten or diary. Did you know that spinach has more calcium in it than dairy? YUP! Bye bye dairy! Who needs you?!
We've been making a lot of food at home and bought some good snacks to munch on. We are definitely in it to win it. I'm loving how my body is changing and feeling and how much energy I have. Even while I write this I can't believe how much energy I have and how not I hungry I am.
Oh yea, water, drink it. I am averaging between 60 and 90 oz of water a day, in the form of water or tea. Yes that's a lot but I feel so good drinking that much. It keeps me awake and feeling light and full.
Did you know if you drink only water before noon it will keep you awake more than a cup of coffee? Yup it's a fact.
Okay more soon folks!!!! Thanks for reading.
Cooking is fun! It's so much fun, slicing and dicing things. Its fun trying new recipes and experimenting with food.
Yesterday, we decided to buy some meat and scallops to make dinner. I pan seared the scallops, which I had NEVER made before. They were perfect. The best part of Paleo is you can cook with butter and not feel guilty. The scallops were cooked with butter. Delicious!
The steak was made with coconut oil, pan seared then broiled. Perfect.
And kale chips. Kale?! Who knew I could cook kale.
If you are thinking of starting Paleo, get "Fast Paleo" app for iphone, $.99 and it has TONS of easy and yummy Paleo dishes!
Today, E said she was bored of eggs. So I pulled out my phone and tried to find a recipe for something new. I'm currently making a breakfast pie, sort of. Bacon on the bottom, egg, sauteed veggies and some ham. I'm so excited for it to be done!!!!
This morning I am drinking Zen Tea with almond milk. Seriously, who am I?
But I will tell you I weighed myself last weekend and I was 155 and today I'm 153. Might not be huge to you but it's huge to me. I'm excited. And I have so much energy. I walked the dog and played and just enjoyed the morning. This whole having energy thing is so new to me that I'm not sure what to do with it all!!!!!
I'll keep you posted on other meals!
Thanks for reading!
Good morning!!!
I would like to point out that it is 6:30am in California. My body woke me up at 5:50am. A natural wake up, I have never had that before. What usually happens is Stella will lick my face to inform me she's ready to be up and playing. Today that did not happen. I woke up BEFORE her! God if you know me, you know this is a huge deal.
I have been doing a lot of thinking as of late about the privilege associated with the Paleo diet (and almost all lifestyles and diets). When I talk about Paleo I feel my privilege and then yesterday at Sprouts (like a whole foods) and Trader Joe's, I felt the privilege. I felt the ache that this is a way of life that I can only sustain with money and access to these places. The fact that I can afford and have access to organic fruits and veggies, any type of red meat, chicken, pork, sausage, or seafood is a privilege. Yesterday I bought coconut oil. Yup, we needed more. We ran low because we baked. Who does that? Us. It is a privilege and I will not forget that and I'm still trying to figure out what that means for me and how do I live with, sit with, and attempt to change this.
If you think about where fast food joints are located, where dollar stores with the grocery part, Target, Walmart, all of it. If you really think about where (location not the name of the store) and look at the demographics. I look at people who are vegan, vegetarian, Paleo etc, and look at the class and race factors. Access access access. Our Sprouts is in a "richer" area of Claremont.
Yesterday when we got home from our grocery shopping, we cleaned out the cabinets. This was hard, more so on my wife. We had to literally get rid of things that we cannot eat. We cleaned the fridge out first then moved to the cabinets. We were able to make 2 piles, throw out and free. We are lucky we live in a residence hall and most students would LOVE some of the stuff we have in there. So that's where we're at. Trying to figure this out in the context of the rest of our lives.
I am in no way saying this diet is bad or that no one should do it. I'm just saying it is a privilege to be able to completely overhaul your diet.
Thanks for reading! Up next, food fun!
(Image taken from The Paleo vs Zone Diet Debate: http://www.crossfitkinnick.com/2013/01/11/the-paleo-vs-zone-debate/ )
Slept so well last night after a very Paleo satisfying day! Drank over 90 oz of water/tea and I felt really good, full and content. I went to bed at a normal hour because I was tired and not exhausted but tired from the day. Which is new. I'm normally falling asleep on the couch around 9pm. I stayed up until 10pm! Big deal!
This morning I got up at 6am, made some tea, played with puppy and listened to pod casts again. Did some yoga moves, stretched and enjoyed the rain falling outside. We made a lovely and large breakfast but I'm having some coffee withdrawal symptoms and just feeling a little more tired today.
But today is grocery shopping day! So excited to get to it and get some good stuff!
I really like this picture below. It's awesome. It's a self love pyramid!
Have a lovely day!
Good morning all!
I've been asked a lot of questions about Paleo so I thought I'd start a blog so I'm not posting all over facebook my personal info (weight loss and such) or clogging up newsfeeds with my thoughts on Paleo. So I decided to document my Paleo Journey!!! Enjoy......
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Let me start by giving you a little background on me....
I'm 27, married, professional living in SoCal.
When I was 18 I weighed 120lbs, had some health issues and my weight went up to 180lbs (on a 5 foot frame) and my cholesterol was 324 and I was constantly tired. I did everything: weight watchers, hired a personal trainer, nutritionist, everyone had talked to me. I had a few very serious bouts with IBS (passing out, cramps, etc) and had been put on medication to help regulate my system. For 7 years, I was unable to break the 150 mark (Goal weight is 145). I was constantly frustrated because I was doing everything right. Or was I?
When the new year started, my wife joined a facebook group started by a friend called 100 day Paleo challenge. We knew that this transition would take money and since we live on 1 income, we knew we needed to wait until my paycheck came through at the end of January. We were also waiting because part of my compensation is we both get meal plans so we eat lunch and dinner in one of the several dining halls in the area.
We both started researching and couldn't find anything wrong with what people were presenting. I don't believe that you can successfully do this "diet" / lifestyle change without doing research. It's key to success. We read blogs, talked to friends, understood the insides and out of the diet. We felt ready.
As luck would have it, a friend of ours canceled our dinner plans so I thought, why not start? So Eb and I started Paleo (sort of) on Sunday Jan 30th for dinner. We ate Steak with coconut oil and some veggies and small amount of mashed potatoes. Then Monday morning we started the transition full force. Water only, coconut oil in replace of Pam, butter, eggs with yolks (new to me because I have high cholesterol), and lots of veggies. I still had coffee with dairy creamer because I figured it'll take a few days to transition.
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Paleo is interesting because it really is cutting out refined sugar and carbs, which turn to sugar, beans (yes beans!) and starches (white potatoes, rice, etc). You are only allowed oil that are stable (http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-fats/) , meat and eggs that are grass fed and pasteurized (pork, lamb), fruits and veggies (organic whenever possible). Easy right? Well I had a my slumb yesterday.
I'm sure there will be days when I'm still detoxicing from carbs and sugars but today I feel good.
Last night I could not stop thinking about cookies so I decided to look up some Paleo dessert recipes and make my own Paleo cookies. I went out and got the ingredients and went to town. They were so gooood!!!! (http://fastpaleo.com/1-minute-cookie-dough/)
In addition to beginning Paleo for real on Monday Jan 21st, I started yoga and other various exercises in addition to walking our puppy Stella in the morning. While I haven't lost any weight yet, I have been able to fit into clothes that were just too tight. They are still size 12 but they fit comfortably and there isn't a ton of "hang over." My bra fits differently and I just feel great.
Another "side effect" is sleep. My sleep is different. I was very tired last night at 9pm. So like I always do, I gave into my sleepy eye lids and went to sleep, well I was wide awake at 3am. Normally this would not be a problem. Eboni always teases me that I sleep too much and that something might be wrong because I'm always tired. Well folks, my best guess is that I have a gluten allergy. I sleep when I'm tired and wake when I'm done. It's amazing. I've never had this "issue" before but it's a good "problem."
This morning I got up at 6am, made some coffee (remember I'm still transitioning), ate some pineapple and avocado. I was able to fit in some yoga, Paleo pod-casts and playing with Stella. (It was raining and in true SoCal dog style, she won't go outside in the rain). I drank an entire 32 oz water bottle before Eboni even got up!!!!
Needless to say, I'm a happy camper.
Stay tuned for my ups and downs, resources, helpful tips, and fun!
Be well!!! Until next time.
