Weigh In

With my eyes still almost shut, I weighed myself this morning.  Last time I weighed myself was about a week ago before I started "Partial Whole30" as I call it.  I have a non digital scale and I think it said 148.  This morning looked between 144 & 145.  I'll take it.  The lowest I've recorded since starting this whole thing, eating better in general, exercise routine, MFP, etc - was 143.  I'd like to get down to 135, however, I feel good and my mid section feels small, so I'm glad about that.  I know the number on the scale really doesn't matter, but I like to keep myself in check.

I haven't had one carb in the form of bread, grain, pasta, corn in almost 2 weeks.  Before this, I was pretty much avoiding them anyway but would have it about once a week.  A couple years ago, I wouldn't think twice about having a bagel for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner.  Those days are long gone.  Meat, vegetables, vegetables, vegetables, & fruit.

All that produce we bought last week?  Gone and then some...we picked up a few yams and squash at TJ's the other day - that's gone as well.

It is extremely time consuming to shop, prep and cook all of these meals, but it's worth it.  

Have a good Wednesday! 

5K For Cancer & Whole30 Update

Happy Monday, all!

Yesterday we ran the Ameican Cancer Society GWB challenge.  I originally signed up for the 10K but decided to to the 5K due to the pain still lingering in my hip and lower back.  I finished in 33 minutes, 32 seconds at 10:49 min/mile.  Pretty happy with that!

It was a really nice day and felt good to do something for a cause.  Our team raised around $550.

As for the Whole30, it's going just okay.  I went 5 days without half and half in my coffee but caved today and used 1 TBSP organic heavy cream, NO sugar (as I've been doing for a few years).  The Whole30 is very strict and they say even if you have one bite or lick of anything "not whole30," to start over.  Well, I'm not starting over - I have not "cheated" food wise at all.  I've only been eating meat, an insane amount of vegetables, coconut milk, fruit and eggs.  No sugar (real or fake), yogurt, oatmeal, rice, pasta, or bread of any kind.  For me, those are easier to avoid than 1 TBSP cream in my coffee.  My mid section feels smaller and tighter (the ab challenge is helping that as well).

I think a lot of people think heavy cream is bad because it's high in fat, however it's not processed, so which is worse?!  Whole30 is based on cleansing your body and actually getting your body used to good fats - avocado, cocounut milk/oil, olive oil, etc.  I've read a lot of forums and many people who eat Paleo use heavy cream so I'm going to try that for now. 

The scale has not budged.

Also, I tried coconut milk in my coffee - not a fan.  However, I whipped a can of coconut milk with vanilla extract and had over berries - AMAZING.  Freeze it for an hour and then try it with berries.  It tasted just like heavy whipped cream.

Have you tried Whole30?  If so, did you make it through the 30 days EXACTLY how it's supposed to be followed?  I'm curious.

Flashback Friday

A friend tagged me in this last night on Instagram and I found it appropriate to share since it's Prom season.  I still remember that day very vividly and I LOVED my dress.  I still have it.  It's Jessica McClintock and it ALMOST still fits me.  My boobs are bigger now ;)

I cropped my little neighbor at the time out because I'm not sure she'd like her picture to be on my blog, lol.  I think she's 15 now... how time flies!  She will be going to her prom in a couple of years.

Also, today we are allowed to wear jeans to work if we donated $5 to Partners for Women and Justice.  I forgot to take a picture but I'm wearing my mint jeans with a chevron top :)

I'm still undecided on whether or not I can run the 5K on Sunday.  My hips are friggin' killing me and I've been taking it easy so this isn't a good sign.  Either way I'm going, dammit!

That's really all I've got - TGIF and enjoy your weekend!

Whole30, Day 2

I won't update every day but wanted to share how I felt during Day 1 and Day 2 thus far.  Of course I would pick the first day of Aunt Flo to start this challenge.  Oof.  All in all, it went great yesterday.  I had breakfast at 8am and by 12:45, my stomach was growling.  So, for close to 5 hours I was full.  No snacks.  The key is to have 3 large, filling meals - limit snacking and have your last meal a few hours before bed so for me, that's by 7 or 8pm.

I was hungry for dinner when I got home at 5:15 and knew I was going to class at 7, so for dinner I had leftover steak with about 2 cups of peppers, onions and yellow squash, and 1 scrambled egg.  I love eggs but I know in another week, I'm going to be sick of them.  I'll have to switch it up and add different veggies, hot sauce, etc.

I decided to make egg muffins last night to save some time for the morning.  I had two this morning - they were good and full of flavor!  101 calories each.  I used coconut oil to grease the muffin pan.  With that, I had a handful of blueberries, a kiwi and 1/4 of an avocado with hot sauce.  Oh and black coffee.  Still getting used to it!  I saw a recipe for whipped coconut cream so I might try that in my coffee.

Lunch today is romaine salad with tomato, cucumber, avocado, homemade dressing and a whole can of plain tuna.  I saw a recipe for paleo mayo which I might try.  Dry tuna is just blah.

On another note, my back & hips are really bothering me today.  Not my lower back but the whole left side.  Just fantastic.  Class in the park last night was tough, but good.  Monday's class was harder and I wasn't in pain after that.  It's strange how our bodies work and react to different moves.

Tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with my future MIL & SIL.  Hmm, eating out will be interesting on this plan.  Enjoy your Thursday :)

Whole30 Plan, Day 1

Today I'm following the Whole30 plan.  I saw that Amanda tried it and was curious.  I read about it and decided to start it TODAY!  I knew we were heading to the Farmer's Market after work last night, so it was perfect.

I pretty much follow this anyway, with the exception of having yogurt 1-2x a week, half and half in my coffee DAILY (but no sugar), brown rice and WINE!  So those are definitely going to be tough to pass up but I know I can do it.  There's a lot you CAN eat on this plan, so I shouldn't feel deprived.

Here's my plan for today:

Breakfast - 8 AM - I had black (eek) coffee, 2 scrambled eggs cooked in coconut oil with 1/4 sliced avocado, 1/2 baked yam, a handful of blueberries, 4 strawberries and 1 cup grapes. 

Sounds like a lot, I know.  This plan encourages 3 big/filling meals and less snacking (blood sugar spikes).

Lunch - 12PM - leftover grilled salmon filet from last night, 1/2 baked yam, steamed broccoli and a few asparagus spears.

Dinner - 6PM - Steak or chicken with grilled vegetables.

Last night we spent about $90 on the following: 4 lbs fish, 4 lbs fresh chicken breast from a local farm, and TONSSSSSSS of fruits and vegetables.  Seriously our fridge is so packed.  We gave some to my MIL, as she often shops at this market and gives to us :)  Strawberries were only $1 for the regular sized container - you CAN'T beat that.


And there's more - not all of it fit on the table.

This plan encourages you to consume grass fed/organic meat.  I'm not sure this will always be in our budget but I recently saw a package of grass fed burgers at TJ's for around $7 for 4... not terrible.  If you think about it - a burger out at a restaurant is between $8-$12 usually - for ONE.  I often go to a local chicken farm.  They don't use hormones and their prices are decent.  4 lbs or 16 cutlets for $19.  Again, a chicken dish at a restaurant averages $15 for 2 cutlets & a side of pasta/veggie/salad.

Tabata Workouts

Happy Tuesday!  Although I had a dream it was wear-jeans-to-work-Friday.  Still 3 days away from that!  Oh well.

Last night the weather held up, so I headed to class in the park.  We did a good 40 minutes of different planks, Tabata style.  If you're not sure what that is, check it out HERE.  We would work for 20 seconds, rest 10, 8 reps of each exercise.  It sounds easy but it's NOT.  Plus, it was extremely muggy outside last night so I was dripping.  We also did about 10 minutes of squats and some ab stuff, plus I did the "300" ab series at home.

I'm pretty frustrated with my belly lately.  Although I'm wearing a smaller size now, it's still flabby and feels bloated.  Bleh...It must be the hardest thing to tone.  I feel good about my legs though, so that's a plus.

I'm signed up for a 10K American Cancer Society GWB challenge this coming Sunday.  Last year I almost had an anxiety attack when we got on to the GWB.  Either my fear of heights kicked in or since it was my first race, I was anxious.  I think I'll be ok this time.  I'm most likely switching to the 5K.  My hip/lower back is still bothering me (more so today from dancing over the weekend plus the workout last night).  I can always walk it, but it's just not the same.

If you're interested, here's a Tabata Workout.

Wedding Fun

Happy Monday!  I'm still tired from my friend's wedding on Saturday.  It was a blast! 

We danced all night which probably explains my lower back pain this morning.  Oh well - it was worth it!  I stayed in bed until 10:30 yesterday morning which is late for me.



Fun times :)

Update on the 300/30 ab challenge - I won't lie, I didn't do it this weekend but I will be back at it today with 3 weeks left to go.
I'm hoping to go to class in the park tonight or if it's canceled due to the weather, then hot yoga.

That's all I've got for now.  Have a good week!