January 1st of this year, I begun my life eating Paleo style. This style of eating is {in a VERY small nut shell} whole foods, clean eating with no grains, dairy or legumes. Natural sugar is ok, but no processed foods, artificial sugars, etc. You are also guided to eat organic, fruits and veggies {at least the dirty dozen} and grass fed, humanely raised, no antibiotics, no hormone filled meats. It may seem drastic to some since the majority of us eat carbs and grains like they are the main course, but to me it was an attempt to feel better. I was inspired by a girlfriend's weight loss, but after researching, I discovered it could be so much more. A healthy way of life, a resolution to some of my aches and pains.
So, to take it to the next level, the hubby and I did a Whole 30 {more like a whole 21} back in
February. If you're not familiar with it check out Melissa and Dallas'
website: www.whole30.com. The basis of the Whole 30 is a little more strict than the Paleo lifestyle. It is a challenge to eat absolutely NO processed foods for 30 days. And NO added sugar what so ever. While living Paleo, if you eat this way 80-90% of the time, you're doing well. By doing the Whole 30 it was a way to cleanse our bodies, and see how we'd feel.
Why did it matter the way I felt? Well, I turned 40 this year and honestly, the amount of aches and pains and other symptoms was driving me nuts! Insomnia, restless sleep, achy joints, "cricked" back, stiff joints, stuffy sinus congestion constantly, loss of energy, hormone shifts, headaches and the skin on my joints was becoming more and more dry and darkened in color. If I felt this way at 40, how was I going to reach my goal of 100?
Yes, I am carrying too much weight, and yes, I want to lose it. Right now, with two small children and essentially two small businesses, it was all I could do to stay awake past 9:30pm let alone find the time to work out and eat right. Excuses? Perhaps. But I knew it was time to figure this out.
After our Whole30, I felt fabulous! My joints didn't ache, my sleeping was better, I had a more balanced emotional well being and I could breathe!! Then, the hubby fell off the wagon and decided to hire a personal coach. I felt lost, abandoned and discouraged. As a team, I felt we were working together, I could do it with his help and support. Not that he doesn't support me in whatever I want to do, but doing it together was a mental thing for me.
No, after 2 months off the Whole 30 and straying from my Paleo lifestyle, I feel the same way I did prior. In some cases, worse. I maintained the weight loss {or most of it} from the months prioro, but my wedding ring will not go over my knuckle. My joints are achy and stiff. My legs are cramping at night again. And I'm tired. All. The. Time.
I know I need to stick with this plan. It's for my own well being. My own sanity. It's tough. I can compare it to a drug addict or a cigarette smoker. The temptations are always there. Food doesn't go away from your life, so learning and sticking with healthy habits is tough. I struggle too because we have a picky eater. He's almost 5 and won't eat anything healthy. We've stopped buying the junk and he is told he doesn't have to eat, and so he doesn't. We've made steps. Buy he's at grandma and grandpa's three days a week. They love him and try, but give in. I don't know what to do. Most days I am the heavy. I'm the bad guy and I am the only one trying to reinforce the rules. I have had conversations with my parents, but I feel like they think I'm crazy. I pleaded with my mom because I don't want him to have bad eating habits like our entire family! My in-laws all have diabetes - that scares me for my child!
It's a daily struggle. But one I take each day at a time. Step by step. Yesterday, I got back on track. And I am working on focusing. So, I need to find the time for myself to feel centered. Now is the time. My writing will help me focus and help me to ground myself.
Yesterday's food:
Saturday
Breakfast: 3 medium eggs, spinach, red pepper, green onion and mushroom omelet with 2 pieces of bacon, 1/2 an avocado and a banana.
Lunch: Organic beef hot dogs, fruit salad {blueberries, strawberries and banana} and a handful of raw cashews.
Snack: Bacon {because Kenz wanted some and didn't eat the last piece}
Dinner: Almond flour encrusted pan seared chicken breasts, asparagus
Sunday
Breakfast: 3 medium eggs, spinach, red pepper, green onion and mushroom omelet with 2 pieces of bacon, 1/2 an avocado and a banana.
Today is also prep day! Here's what I'll be making this week.
-Taco meat
-Spaghetti squash
-Grilled chicken thighs
-Tuna Waldorf salad {made with my homemade mayo}
-Breakfast casserole
-Fruit salad servings
-Spiral zucchini into "zoodles" - leave raw and saute day of eating
Here's the dinner meals planned for the week:
Sunday: Ground turkey spaghetti {with spaghetti squash}
Monday: Chicken kabobs {chicken marinated in coconut aminos, red pepper, onion, mushrooms, pineapple}
Tuesday: Pork chops with carrots
Wednesday: Turkey sausage with zoodles with onions in tomato sauce/diced tomatoes and basil
Thursday: Grilled chicken salads with homemade ranch or Italian dressing
Friday: Lemon chicken with broccoli
So, here's to a great week!
