Some people call me crazy.

I had one of the best workouts to date last night. I planned it the night before and I was so excited to get to the gym and try it out. Go ahead and roll your eyes. It was Ah-MAYZ-ing.

A few items of business before we go into detail. I hate the stairmaster. I don't know what it is, but I dread it. But I have felt that I've been in somewhat of a rut the last few weeks so I needed to change things up. I needed to get out of my own comfort zone and do things on my own, without a trainer standing there and telling me what to do.
See for yourself:
Warm up - 5 minutes Stairmaster (60steps/minute)
Round 1 - 3 sets of 15 rotation
Wall sit with a medicine ball (20lb, christianed "The Erin Ball") raise

Lift that up over your head. I'll admit, I didn't keep my arms straight the whole time.

 Wall sit with medicine ball twist


Anna needs to work on her wall sit (90 degrees there, champ!). 15 touches on each side.



Leg lifts

3:00min Stairmaster (70spm/75spm/80spm)

If you have to hold on to the machine you're going to fast. Slow down and work on your form. It also engages your core so you're burning more calories and not hurting your back being all hunched over.

Round 2 - 3 rotations of 15 reps
Bicep curls

Skull Crushers

Push-ups

I did the push-ups right next to my bench in the free weight section. This was a big break through for me and my insecurities. I was hesitant at first, but then I just told myself to get over it. It was awesome!

Round 3, again, 3 rotations of sets of 15
Back extensions

First set: No weight, Second set: 10lb across chest (like picture), Third set: holding weight behind head

Side extensions

First set: no weight, Second set: holding 25lb plate, touching ground, Third set: Holding 25lb plate and then touching opposite elbow and knee

Sit ups

Each set holding a 10lb plate overhead

Knee tucks

Jump rope

First/Second set: 50 jumps, Third set: 100, just to prove to myself that I could

And then the endorphins rushed in and I stopped at the park for a nice 1.5 mile jog to finish it all off. This would never have happened 2 years ago. All in all it was about a 2 hour workout, but it felt amazing and I was so stoked that I was able to put myself through such an intense workout. Can't wait to see what I come up with for my prospective clients!!!

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

As long time readers of this blog can attest to, I seldom keep things to myself. This is more of a journal for me than anything, where I can come and write down my thoughts. So here goes.

The last two weeks have been horrible. I successfully completely the Whole30 and was feeling on top of the world. I thought that I had everything under control and I was going to only improve. I was so wrong.

You're supposed to reintroduce foods into your diet slowly after you finish the Whole30. I learned about this a few day prior to completion. I didn't have the energy to figure out the reintroduction schedule and I already had plans. That might have not been the best idea.


I have been physically ill the last 2 weeks from all the crap that I've been eating. It's nothing like what I was eating prior to when I started out, but it's so different from what I'm used to, especially eating from Whole30. It started out with the candy closet at work. I tried a piece of chocolate to see how I felt. It didn't taste really good and it didn't fill any particular void. But then I would try some more.. you know, just for accuracy. Then I was back to eating a handful of peanut m&ms here, and some trail mix there, a candy bar here (snack size) and some more chocolate there. Add that to the additional carb binge (granola, bread, cereal) and I'm right back to where I started. I haven't weighed myself since my weigh in at the end of Whole30. I feel like I've gained back everything that I worked so hard to lose


There's an excerpt from the companion book to Whole30 "It Starts with Food". It really hit me:

In addition, creating healthy dietary habits isn't just about restricting or eliminating certain foods. You already know that fast food, junk food, and sweets aren't good for you. You know you shouldn't eat them if you want to lose weight, get off your medication, or be healthier.
Yet you continue to eat them.
You struggle with food cravings, bad habits, compulsions, and addictions. You know you shouldn't, but you feel compelled to eat these foods. Sometimes, you don't even want them, but you eat them anyway. And you have a hard time stopping. All of which makes you feel guilty and stressed -- and more likely to comfort yourself with even more unhealthy food.
We're here to tell you:
It's not your fault.
You are not lacking willpower. You are not lazy. and it's not your fault that you can't stop eating these foods.

It then goes on and explains why, etc.It's a great book, even if you're not going to do the Whole30, it has some great information in it.

And then when I'm not on my game 100% I feel like a hypocrite to everyone encouraging me and supporting me and that I'm letting everyone down. I know that (for the most part) isn't the case, but it's the mentality with which I struggle. I discussed this with a few people. Basically what has come from it is that I'm doing this for me. If I want to quit now then I can quit now. People are just happy with what I've been able to do thus far and I should be too. But ultimately I started this for me and I need to continue to do this for me. I'm so lucky to have the support of so many. I think I'm just kind of tired. I've been going strong for 18 months. The last few months have been more challenging than those of the past, more mentally than physically.  I'm still at the gym 5-6 days a week, but my workouts haven't really been what they were in the past. I'm not pushing myself as hard as I was. I guess it's a good thing I signed up for RAGNAR, something to focus on and get me training. Now I just have to stick with that. It's time to just refocus and get moving again.

Alright.. enough of a pity party, I just needed to get that off my chest. Here we go, back at it! Today is a new day, a new week, maybe not so much a new month, but you don't have to wait until then to recommit.

Whole30 part deux

Some of this was already covered in the previous post, but I'm too tired to go through and edit. That just means it's extra important.

So it's been a few days back on "normal" food. You're supposed to re-introduce foods slowly. For instance, have 2 or 3 servings of dairy the first day and another serving or 2 the 2nd day, see how your body reacts and go back on the Whole30 regimen for a few days. Then reintroduce grains without the dairy.. etc.. then add them both.. Yeah.. I didn't do that. My stomach hasn't been a big fan of being filled with things it hasn't had in the last month. 

I have noticed a lot of things though the last couple of days. I felt uncomfortably full and bloated after my normal oatmeal and yogurt on Monday (combining the dairy and grains and sugar). That was my go to breakfast for ages. I'll probably stick with some sort of egg dish here on out. It's easy to prepare for a week and make it a grab 'n go. Plus it kept me full longer (and more protein!).

Carrageenan is in everything. This is one of the additives that Whole30 tells you to stay away from. I've gotten used to checking the labels on all the processed foods. I found it in my "healthy" yogurt dressing, some soy milk, and my beloved Nesquik! I haven't read up on why it's on the do not consume list, but I'm sure they have their reasons. It's amazing to me all the things that get added into some items. I bought the wrong almond butter the other day, Almond Naturally More.. ingredients include almonds (good), soy protein (why), flax seed (okay), Evaporated can juice (sugar), canola oil (why), salt, and molasses. So random. Just get the regular almond butter. OH well. 

Yesterday for lunch I got a free drink with my order. I was scared to even try the diet coke because I haven't had any caffeine   for the whole month. I went for the Light minute maid and added a bit of sprite to make it bubbly. I was only able to take a few sips before I threw it out. It was so over sweet. I also tested out the candy room and quickly realized that I didn't need all the sugar. I do understand that if I continually "try out the candy room" then those taste buds will change and I'll be addicted once more. I just need to remember that. I was totally fine without the sugar during the whole30. I really didn't crave it and as long as it wasn't staring me in the face I didn't feel like I was missing out. 

I also realized that when I was eating the GOOD food I felt fuller, longer, and just overall healthier and more energy. Yesterday I had soup and salad, which really isn't a big deal. I'm sure the turkey had some additives and the bacon may not have been nitrate free. I have no idea what all the ingredients were in the soup (asparagus, made with sour cream), plus a slice of bread (honey wheat) and a sugar cookie (just to test my theory). Comparing how I felt after eating that to how i felt just after eating my "clean, whole30 approved" curry is shocking. Seriously. It's crazy to me. I have already noticed difficulty in my sleeping in just the 3 days I've been off. So I'm going to try doing a mostly Paleo/Whole30 diet and allow for social events without getting stressed out. 

Another benefit of eating better - weight loss. And not just weight, but inches and body fat. I have been struggling the last few months. This month I lost more weight, more inches, and more body fat than the last 4 months (no joke). There is something to be said for eating cleanly.

I also ordered the book "It Starts With Food" today from Amazon. The authors of the book are the developers and Whole30 extraordinaires. I guess since I've already completed it, I should probably read up on what I just did. It will also help me in my continuation and any future Whole30s that I may do.

So that's it. I'm starting to figure this whole diet thing out and my relationship to food.. just 18 months, no biggie.

Whole30

I need to write this down before I totally space it and forget all my thoughts. It's going to be a lot of reading.. so you've been warned.

So back in December Matt told me he was doing Whole30 for February (which would only be 28 days) and told me I could do it too if I wanted. I agreed to it without really knowing the details.  I looked at the website and automatically thought, "WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I JUST AGREE TO??"

Visit here and you'll understand: the-whole30-program

I read No Sugar, No Grains, No Beans, No Dairy. First, I have oatmeal and yogurt every day. That is my go-to breakfast. No sugar?? Of any kind?? No substitutes? No honey? Craziness!!

So I started counting down until go time, still freaking out, but in a way, excited for the challenge. I did a search for "compliant" recipes, stocked up on my coconut, sweet potatoes, and chicken, and jumped in.

The first day was solid. I can totally do this! They actually have a time frame of what and how you'll feel while you're doing this and it's pretty accurate. Days 2 and 3 are called the "Hangover" stage. You're getting rid of all the toxins and sugar that have been building up in your system. I definitely had a headache (not really sure if it is comparable to a hangover headache, but we'll just say yes). Days 4-5 were a lull; I still felt good about the situation, but I didn't have a  lot of energy. This probably lasted a few extra days, but I can say by day 8 I was bouncing off the walls. Seriously. It felt so great! I made it through all of my workouts. I didn't feel the need to nap at work. I slept like a baby and it was great! And then the crazy dreams started, as they said they would. I dreamt of corn dogs, twinkies, mozzarella sticks, and trying to order Chinese. So random! I can't remember the last time I had any of those foods. This lasted until the last week.

The last week was brutal. I got in my head too much. I just wanted it to be over. I survived the 3 weeks. I proved to myself that I could do it. The prep work was getting a little too much. But I managed through it and successfully complete my first Whole30

At 12:01am Sunday, March 3rd, I broke open a pint of ice cream and indulged (probably a little too much).

I would say the hardest part was trying to be social during this process. It's hard going to restaurants and trying to figure out what is allowed. You basically have to ask how everything is prepared, what oil is used, added ingredients into the sauces, how the meat was processed, any extra marinades. I declined most invites and the ones I did go to were still difficult. I would always get asked "why?", especially when I said the no sugar part.

A part of my job is helping with our education programs. We have program running right now 2 of the 4 weeks every month. This means catered breakfast and lunch, plus snacks and a whole candy table. I am setting out the food for the participants and restocking the candy jars and soda cart throughout the day. The first week of program was hard, but by the second I wasn't really tempted. I had my food (that I knew was delicious) and program would be going on next month. I finally got over the "I'm missing out" mentality.

I think I've always had a problem with the "I'm missing out" mentality. If I don't have it now, I'll never have it again!! (I know this isn't correct, food will always be there.) I was able to make that mental change. I'm not really missing out. I'm strengthening my resolve to be better, kinder to my body, to nourish it, and to make the right food choices.

I also realized that I didn't need sugar in my life. Granted, I'm not going to go without sugar the rest of my life, but I know that I don't have to eat a bag of twix bars in one sitting. I can take a bite or two of ice cream and be okay. I know this mentally, I just have to put it into action now. I think there may be  a little more talking to myself in the future, don't judge.

What did I miss for the WHOLE 30 DAYS?? Gum!!! Seriously, just gum. Everything else was bearable. Sheesh.

I was also able to spend more time looking at labels and seeing what was actually in the food that I was eating. I noticed there are a bunch of added ingredients that we don't necessarily need. Before I started I was concerned with calories and fat grams. I would choose the light or fat free options because I thought they would be healthier. But when you compare the labels of a "diet" product with the regular product, you really aren't getting a better version. It may save you a few calories, but in the long run, it's probably better for you to eat the full fat option (in my opinion, depending on what it is).

Also, I wasn't able to weigh myself or do any measurements. They want you to focus on making healthy choices and getting rid of the additives in your system and not using it as just a weight loss tactic. I'm doing measurements tomorrow (which probably isn't the best after what I ate today) so we'll see how the month went.

I probably could have done better with my consumption of almond butter and Lara Bars. I realized that I used these as my crutch when I felt a sugar need, or left out, or bored, or when I noticed I was emotionally eating. I have actually been able to make great strides in recognizing my eating out of boredom or due to emotions. I can definitely tell the difference now from 2 years ago. And the Whole30 just added more focus to that.

Overall, it was a great experience and has given more to think about where I want to go from here, how to modify it into something that I can maintain. A lot of people encouraged me throughout the process, many impressed with the commitment. I would suggest that everyone try it, at least once. It's a great feeling to know that you just killed 30 days of clean eating. Do it!