day eight

Something happened to me this morning, and it's perfect timing since I'm a week in. Firstly, I'm so motivated by resisting tempatations. Not endulging in beer or cheese curds last night feels fantastic this morning.

Secondly I had this revolution today after my workout. I am not controlled by my food. When the book, It Starts With Food, talks about this, it sounds kind of dramatic and the feeling isn't defined very well. But this morning I noticed it. The feeling of knowing that I haven't put crap in my body for a week. The feeling that when I eat my egg in a few minutes, it's going to give my body good things that will hold me through the day to lunch, without snacking. The feeling that I get excited to eat my meatballs with avacado for lunch because, dammit clean food can taste good. And i'm not naive, or at least I try not to be. Of course I know that tator tots would taste way better than meatballs. But if I make the decision to not have those tator tots, and still enjoy my meatballs. That's f-ing magic people. I'm so energized by these thoughts today. It's so cool to understand food in this way, be able to cook it and recognize that if you eat clean food, it's filling your body with all the good stuff that is going to keep you full and satisified.

And let's be real, the fact that I'm starting on a path of learning how to cook is a miracle in itself.

I'm realistic, I know I'm not going to sustain this exact way of living for my whole life (but ya never know I suppose!), I want to endulge when the time calls. But I'm learning so much from this, and am so thankful in this moment.

My workout today completely pumped me up for this too. 1 of 4 weeks done, BOOM BABY.
And can I just say, box jumps are my jam. They are so hard. But so freaking motivating. Bert doesn't even have to tell me to do the higher one anymore. I love the feeling of talking  myself into it, it's so mental. I stare at it and say you can do this in my head, and then I do it. HOLLAH! But you can't get cocky, if you do you can really f up your calf, don't google it, it's nasty.

This mornings workout:

Todays timeline was a little different and I loved it!

10 minutes treadmill -1 mile, under 10 minutes, increase 1% incline every .25 miles , almost made it to under 10 minutes, paced myself better this time, ran at 6.0 from the beginning, slowed down a bit at the end, instead of running at 5.5 and sprinting the last 2 minutes until I almost puked

15 front squat shoulder press with bendy bar
12 one arm half kettle swings
25 knee to elbow plank
(2)
2 minutes hard cardio
Circuit again (x2)
2 minutes hard cardio

15 TRX squat jump
12 incline push ups and burst up
15 box hops (second highest one!)
(x2)
2 minutes hard cardio
Circuit again (x2)
2 minutes hard cardio

50 together rope slams (big rope! since the small was taken)
50 alternating rope slams
Pulling curled rope through, and back again (can't really explain this one...)
Push sled down and back
(x2)

Update
1:10pm
Everything I wrote in the above post still rings true...but I'm not going to lie, it was a bummer that all of my coworkers were going to Qdoba...and not only could I not eat the food, but I had to be "that girl on a diet". That's a bummer. But definitely worth it in the long run. People just don't know, which is OK. Everyone has their own path.

And on another note, while using the google machine to research Qdoba, I discovered Chipoltle bowl+carnitas+pico+guac is complient. But then someone yelled over a cube that Chipoltle doesn't have pork right now. After calling a few and researching, this is indeed true. Mad props to Chipoltle for sticking to their guns (they let of of a supplier after finding out the animals were not being treated humanly), but it's a huge bummer for us Whole30ers.

But my meatballs and avacado rocked pretty hard too. ;)
But actually, again, they are fantastic.

Party on!

5:55pm

For dinner I ended with the last of my meatballs, zucchini cooked with coconut oil and a little salt, and a grapefruit. Excited to have meal prep this weekend for new recipes! Heavy on anything BUT pork:)

11:41pm

In honor of Friday, I made some mock tails with a girlfriend. I don't think she was impressed, but they were rad to my tastebuds! 

Strawberries and lime muddled, then drizzled over ice and filled with cherry lime LaCroix sparkling water. A+!

day seven

Though snacks aren't encouraged under Whole30, in the book It Starts With Food, I have remained my afternoon snack of a pile of cashews. And let's be real, if I have a snack, I could do far worse than raw nuts. Plus they make me drink my last jug of water for the day. Win, win.

 

Last night was my last helping of shredded pork, tear! And today I will be finishing up my meatballs for lunch and dinner. I portioned my meat perfectly! So excited! I also had a mixed green salad with strawberries on top, plain. Delicious, how was strawberries so scrumptious? I also put an Rxbar in my purse for later. We went to a concert that night, so I plopped that sucker in so I wouldn't be tempted to get a drink. But guess what, I wasn't really. Yeah the cheese curds my friend got smelled amazing, but I happily sipped my water, comforted in the truth that this is so worth it. To meet this goal. After all, it's only 30 days! I mean the hope is that I natrually will say no to cheese curds at a bar, and who knows, maybe I will, maybe I won't. But for now. I have a one tracked mind, one month, 30 days, I got this.

 

My workout this morning was:

 

10 minutes treadmill -1 mile, under 10 minutes, increase 1% incline every .25 miles , didn't almost puke this time!

12  TRX one leg squat

12 shoulder press machine

12 one leg calf raise machine

12 leg press machine

(x4)

 

10 minute treadmill

 

12 shoulder press on bench

12 one leg calf raises, 12 both leg calf raises

12 front plate raise

12 side arm raise

(x3)

 

15 kettle ball half swings

10 one arm kettle bell snatch

15 kettle ball squat

30 kettle bell mason twist

(x2)

 

Party on!

 

day six

My morning ritual at work has been set for a long time now, even before Whole30. I unload my crap, walk to the water machine, fill her up with crushed ice (game changer, so lucky to have an ice machine) and water. I take my vitamins: D, C and Mg. Then I eat my hard boiled egg with cinnamon, I know it's weird, but for some reason it's OK with me. I could probably add delicious things to my eggs, but if I can keep it plain and I'm good with, I might as well! It sounds so odd, but you should try it, it might surprise you. And then I get after it for the day.

Todays lunch was meatballs, sweet potatoes, an apple and olives. Mighty fine meal.
Dinner was shredded pork, strawberries and greenbeans with a little garlic salt cooked in coconut oil. And I didn't get sick, yay! Must have used the right amount of oil?

Wednesday workout for this morning:

10 min treadmill-1 mile, under 10 minutes, increase 1% incline every .25 miles (however I almost puked doing this...so no pressure to get it under 10 minutes)
12 each arm seated row machine, bottom grip
12 bent bar bell rows
12 reverse fly, kneeling on bench
20 medicine ball throw facing wall, kind of like this, but facing wall, and closer to wall, we used a heavy 12 lb sand ball
(x3)

12 each
lat pull down machine
seated row machine, top grip this time
sit up rack with weight, similar to this
bicep curl with bendy bar
(x3)

5 minutes treadmill

Party on!

day five

6:14pm

Things with Whole30 have been going really well so far. It's a lot easier to have a partner in crime at work. Especially since that's when I have the most cravings and would probably fall off the wagon the most. Those pork meatballs have really been getting me through the days. I have a few for lunch each day, and pair it with veggies, so far carrots. The day I had an avacado was incredible too. Then I ususally have a plain spinach and apple salad (I have been doing this a lot for months, so my palet is already pretty used to it, and I'm so obsessed with apples that it balances out the plainess of the spinach.

 

The shredded pork has been great too. I created my portions a little too big when I divied out what I made over the weekend, so there's a lesson. I have been making green beans, zucchini or baked sweet potatoes along side the meat. And then raspberries. Tonight I scarfed down a whole grapefruit again, it was incredible.

 

Monday I went to the gym for the first time in a week, and it was fantastic to say the least. Leg day, so that kicked my butt. That night I also joined by friend Beef (not her real name, but nick name since birth) to a Hip Hop dance class. And it was SO fun. My legs got another lil workout there. I bought a punch pass, and plan to go with her on Mondays. SO far up my alley, it was awesome.

 

Monday workout:

 

10 minutes treadmill

4-3-2-1 circuit (this means do the 1, 2, 3, 4th, then the 1, 2, 3, then the 1 and 2...etc)

15 bench squat

12 weighted step up each leg

12 machine leg curl

75 toe touches with medicine ball

(x3)

 

10 minutes treadmill

4-3-2-1 circuit

12 leg press machine

12 dumbell dead lift

12 leg extension machine

30 chopping wood with rope machine

(x3)

 

I'm going to try and start documenting my workouts, pardon my lack of memory for what moves are called, but google helps a bunch, so we will see if I get better!

 

The thing I'm lacking lately is sleep. Putting great food in my body is wonderful, but it means less when I don't allow my body rest...it's just such a struggle. And I don't even have kids yet, geez la weez.

day three

7:03pm

I woke up this morning so  excited to try my shredded pork. I overdid it on the protein this morning, because I was also really excited for Sunday fried eggs. Oh wow, that pork was incredible. I'm wondering if it had too much fat, otherwise why would it be so incredible tasting?? So many recipes state lean meat…but I can't find one that actually defines what the lean should be. I will have to research that more fully. 

I continued my day by spending time with my sister and mamma, which was more than fantastic. With their encouragement, I happily sipped my carrot+kale+melon+ginger juice while they ate their Noodles and Co lunch (one of my favorites of all time). Ufta, that was a hurdle. But here I am! Excited that I had a full day of good food! Also, that juice was incredible.

Dinner was leftover meatballs from yesterday and a sweet potato sliced and baked (plain, since I'm trying to avoid oil…I just sprayed a little olive oil on the baking sheet so they wouldn't stick). 

Day four starts with another work day! I cannot wait to go back to the gym. I miss it like crazy. 

Party on!

 

day two

2:43pm

Feeling great as ever. I read It Starts With Food, while I was on vacation, but I wish I could read it again. I am consistently forgetting what is and what is not compliant with Whole30. But I'm confident that will get easier every day. I am a little worried about last night. Nausea before bed is nothing new to me, but it breaks down my confidence little by little. It seems that whenever I attempt to eat healthy, certain things make those night time barfy feelings return. My hope is that through this I will learn to live on a clean diet, and learn ways to cook my food that will not cause nausea. 

My theory for the past few months has been oil. I have moved from cooking with Olive oil to coconut oil, but after last night now I am questioning that theory as well, since that is what I cooked with for my chicken last night. But something for me to strongly ponder is this, do I know how to cook with oil? Probably not. I probably use too much, so I will keep that on my agenda to research. For now, i will stick with baking. I just had a great afternoon of preparing food. Last night I was successful at turning down wine and chips at a friends, so another small hurdle accomplished!

This morning I had three delicious over easy eggs. HOW did I not cook eggs like this before!! Actually, it's probably a blessing in disguise, because now they are this new amazing treat! I always used to make scrambled eggs dry, and still loved them. But this whole over easy is great--i supposed it's probably the olive oil that makes them delicious (to note-don't get sick when I make eggs with olive oil...hmmm). I also had a grapefruit, with the intention to only eat half--but it was way too delicious, and I was way too into the episode of scandal I was watching to be concerned. 

I have always loved grapefruit, since I was little. When my mom used to cut it in half for me, slice up the triangles in preparation, pour some sugar on (bless her soul, none of us knew the addiction I had yet, I won't hold it against her that she gave me so much joy through sugar ;) ). And then when she would turn around I would pour another half a cup on. Scrumptious. When I was little, they made me give up dairy for a bit ( to figure out my stomach-documented as acid reflux-maybe part of that is still true? but it seems to be a new beast now), and I remember having to drink grapefruit juice instead of milk at lunch, and it was awful. I thought grapefruit could only be eaten with sugar. And then I will never forget the afternoon I learned different. It was my senior year of college and my duplex neighbor (now BFF and adult roommate) Clare was sitting on a chair in the backyard reading and peeling her grapefruit. She explained to me that it was the peel that made grapefruit hard to eat and sour and disgusting. So she peeling me a chunk  and my life was forever changed. If you have never had a peeled grapefruit (so literally just the insides-more messy than oranges-but the same idea, plus peeling off the alien skin like inside peel off) - DO IT. I also love how they are little sperm like bursts of juice and fruit all chunked together. Sometimes I just pull off one little spermy thing and eat it, and repeat. I really like food I have to work for...like pomegranates. 

Who knew I had so much to say about grapefruit. What the f.

After breakfast I ran some errands, and found myself at WholeFoods for my third time ever. I admittedly went to the meat counter with hesitation. But I decided to go full force with honesty. I told the meat man that I had never cooked pork, but what would I need for a recipe that called for 1-2 pounds pork loin. He helped me out, and asked about a recipe, I mumbled that I was just keeping it simple with pulled pork, and ran away with my meat. I should have stuck around and asked more advice, but I was intimidated because of my lack of knowledge, but mostly because he was a very charming meat man and made me nervous! Ha! I picked up a pretty good haul besides that.




You can't see it very well in this photo below, but I was absolutely bawling after chopping onions for this recipe. Numerous snapchats were sent in honor. It was hilariously ridiculous.

This was a perfect little lunch. Delicious meatballs, plain and wonderful. Plus a small amount of fruit (since I had such a big grapefruit) and a whole avocado. 

I have a pretty big fear of cooking meat. So a huge part of the hope from Whole30 is for me to get over that. These pork meatballs, and shredded pork (recipe here and here) will be a huge step for me. 

I plan on freezing the meatballs and some of the pork in little baggies, for quick protein meals. I also have another recipe I want to try tomorrow!

 

I wish I would have saved my grocery list (cub pre-day, whole foods day one) from prep for day one, but I will try and do my best:

For last meal (i'm sure this is frowned upon, but I don't care):
velveeta mac n cheese
cinnamon toast crunch
skim milk
butterfinger
peach tea snapple

For real big kid food:
frozen chicken
applegate hot dogs (i just froze these, as an emergency some day)
ground pork
ground beef
ground turkey
pork loin
beef broth
spinach
carrots
peppers
green beans
zuchinni
avacadoes
sweet potatoes
onion
apples
raspberries
grapefruit
olives
raw cashews
eggs
spices: mustard powder, paprika (lots more I can't remember now)
RXbars-I ordered these online here

Party on!

 

Recipe links:

Meatballs

Shredded Pork

day one

8:46am
It's officially day one for me, and I feel pretty ready. I was definitely more pumped about the idea of this, than now that I actually have to pursue. BUT let's take that little honest thought I just put right there, and throw that shit under the bed. Because we're ALL positive here!

I had a successful binge fest last night (actually it was pretty mild if I say so myself). I finished a box of velveeta mac n cheese, and topped off the night with big cookie (warm cookie with ice cream on top). I didn't even eat it all!

I wasn't able to work out today because I had to bring ice cream to work. The irony. I know. It actually is a huge bummer, because I was super ready to get back to the gym. But soon enough I will be back and get dem veins pumpin. So not only are we having an ice cream party at work today, which I can't participate in, I passed TWO different boxes of donuts walking to my desk. WOOF. Starting the temptations of strong world, thanks for that.

Starting on a Friday leads into a pretty weird schedule. But I'm also excited to be able to prep some food this coming weekend. For now I'm happily sipping my black coffee, while preparing to eat my two boiled eggs with cinnamon sprinkled on top. I have my daily water intake sheet next to me and I'm ready to party.

6:36pm
Day one is almost done! I conquered a lot of temptations for that, and I'm proud. But at the same time it wasn't that hard...one because my cravings are totally under control if I'm not around crappy stuff...it's only when there's treats at work etc. when this whole thing is a problem...and two...because my tummy is NOT anywhere near normal since coming back from Mexico. Hope there isn't someone else living in my belly eating for two...and by that I mean a parasite or something...not a baby.

Lunch was a spinach and apple salad (plain cause i'm boring like that), two hard boiled eggs with a tiny bit of salt and a handful of carrots. A no-problem lunch. If I could have eggs with every meal, I would be set.

Dinner was pan cooked chicken chunks...I really need help in the meat department. And sauteed onions and green peppers, and some raspberries. Wasn't totally fantastic...can't tell if I'm Mexico unhappy or just Samara belly unhappy...but who knows. OH and I can't forget a blueberry Rx bar...since they came in the mail today and I had to try one. So good, now I want 12 of them.

Day one DONEZO!

Party on!

let's do this

As of now, I will be starting the Whole30 program on January 23rd 2015. I am so excited I can barely contain myself! I know I know, I should just start it now. BUT, since I'm going to Mexico on Thursday, it only makes sense for me to hold off.

My health journey I would say officially started on April 28th 2014, when I first started going to training classes. Since then, I have been bouncing around with the idea and pursuit of clean living again and again. I am definitely a goal person. Most of my goals are fails (and that's not me being negative, it's just the truth), but every once and awhile one sticks, and I am totally ready for Whole30 to stick. My body is ready, my mind is ready, i. am. so. ready.

I am currently reading the Whole30 book, and though some of it is over my head, and some of it I am still contemplating, I am ready for this one month challenge.

My favorite collection of words so far:

"It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You’ve done harder things than this, and you have no excuse not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime."

Let's do this.

 

 My trainer Bert and I