Archive - February 2015

A full day of my new strict Paleo of 30 days is complete.  I feel pretty good, even though there’s always a little adjustment period.  The amount of food I’m consuming now, sadly, is a bit less than I’ve been eating.   I feel hungry, or maybe I’m just bored not snacking as much as I was.  Snacking is evil.  I’m happy I started this before the weekend…this will be the true test.  I will prevail!

On another note, I feel like I was actually able to get a good night’s sleep for the first time in a long time last night.  Between the tooth not hurting as much, and maybe not having sugar in my system…it seems I’m on the up and up.

Any struggle we face in life should be faced with confidence and courage.  Getting healthy and fit is no different.

“It’s never too late to start over.  If you weren’t happy with yesterday,

try something different today.  Don’t stay stuck.  Do better.”

Stuck to my guns…ate Paleo yesterday with what was left in the fridge (before food shopping).  Went food shopping after dinner with my prepared Paleo list for the next couple of days.  When I got home I made breakfast and lunch.  Breakfast – Garlicky Sprouts with Poached Eggs and Lunch – Cobb Salad.  Can’t wait to eat them!  nom nom nom  Today when I get home, I am going to make Italian Wedding Soup in the Crock Pot.  I remember making this soup the first time last year…boy, was I proud of myself.  Meal prep is fun.  It’s like working for your food.

I still can’t believe that I haven’t had bread, pasta, or PIZZA since August 9, 2013.  It’s 2015!!  Mind blown.  Gave up soda on January 1, 2013…that’s even crazier.  Never would I have thought I’d be able to say I don’t drink soda anymore.  I’m not even sure I would like it at this point.  There have been a few times where I craved an ice cold soda, but I talked myself off that ledge.  I still think it would be a major let down if I decided to drink a soda.  How are you all doing with your goals and accomplishments?  Tell me about them!

I didn’t have sugar yesterday, and today I feel better already.

“Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer

to where you want to be tomorrow.”

So after enjoying the holidays, my brother’s 40th birthday, the month of January, and the Super Bowl…it’s time to get strict again!  I needed a little reset to help make me appreciate the journey I originally set out on.  Most people would start on a Monday, but I am starting today — Wednesday!  I’ve kept my eating pretty Paleo, not so clean though.  Enjoyed a few gluten free bagels here and there, and maybe a few pieces of dark chocolate (okay, more than a few…but hey, a girl needs her chocolate).

I had a bit of a health issue back in December, but I’m all healed from that…well, mostly.  I had an infection in my stomach, and had to take a crazy amount of pills, and by crazy amount I mean 120 pills in 10 days (I took my daily probiotics, don’t worry).  So now, even though the infection is cleared, my stomach will take at least 6 months to fully heal.  So eating has been interesting.  Certain things bother my stomach more than others.  I started drinking aloe vera juice…yum.  Between this stomach thing, and a toothache, I’ve been feeling pretty blah.  I’m thinking that going strict Paleo will help me out of this funk…fingers crossed.

I am going over my 30 day meal plan; I’m using the same one that I started Paleo with.   If you want to follow along, it’s in this book.  My reasoning for using the same one again…I did it once, and was successful.  I can do it again.  Food shopping tonight!  I’m excited to be getting strict again…I felt really good, and I let myself get too comfortable I guess.  If you want something, you have to work for it…usually that work is NOT easy.  I’m going to Vegas in July, and I have a few weddings to attend at the end of this year…my goal is to lose weight and get some muscles…but mostly, just feel good!  When I first started Paleo I realized it wasn’t so much about trying to meet my goals of weight loss and such, it was about just feeling good.  Everything else just fell into place.  It’s a mental game, such is life.  When your head is in the game, the physical follows.  Your body only works as hard as your mind.  I’ll leave you with that.

Also, if you’re reading this and you have fallen off the wagon a little…get back on!  No reason to just watch it drive away.  Show ’em whatcha got.

“How badly you want something dictates how hard you’ll work for it.”

1 year 4 months… I feel fitter, and healthier than I ever have.  I’ve maintained my weight loss, but after the holidays I will try to lose a few more pounds.  I will be making my own meal plan, as well.  I am equipped with enough knowledge to pull something awesome together.  If anyone wants to know what it ends up being, let me know!!

I’m running better than I ever have in my life.  I’m stronger, I can endure longer, and I recover a LOT faster!  I’m getting back to where I was in my younger days.  Still haven’t had bread or pasta!!   (..and don’t even crave it anymore)  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…if I was able to come this far, anyone can.

Now that you’re caught up on my exciting life…back to the topic of the day: Probiotics.  I’ve been doing a lot of research and talking to a lot of people about this.  I’m learning so many things.

Are you taking a daily probiotic?  You should be!  We face a lot of nasty bacteria in our normal day lives, so taking a probiotic everyday will ensure that you have the “good” bacteria that you need.  This is used in combination with your fermented foods, sauerkraut, and kefir.  It’s just a good thing to have the extra supplement.  Lots of things can throw your gut flora out of whack.  Diet, stress, medication, or illness can all contribute to tummy troubles.  When the ratio isn’t balanced, it can cause a slew of issues!  They can help with so many things…immune issues, digestive problems, yeast infections, and replenishing the good bacteria after taking antibiotics.   Take a probiotic daily…you’ll thank me later.

Don’t get overwhelmed when you see a bunch of different probiotics.  This website on How to Choose the Right Probiotic might help you.

“Take care of your body.  It’s the only place you have to live.”