Personal Paleo Challenge Day 1: Fighting!

In the last few months, I've gotten really bad about wanting to start a Paleo Challenge and actually doing it. It seems like a really good idea on Sunday. But come Monday morning, I'm still headed toward to my chocolate Rice Chex and sugared flavored coffee creamer.

It's really easy to think about all the things you want to change and all the things you need to do differently. At least it is for me. I can come up with a good plan for what I should be doing in a heartbeat. I'll research it until I could be a professional. But execution is something very different.

I could blame a lot of things, bad habits, lack of willpower, no self-control, tasty tempting cupcakes. Whatever the excuse, it's still just an excuse. It's a matter of me just not doing it.

Today is different. Today, I have a team. The family is getting in on it the plan. And while we aren't doing a Whole 30, the plan is about 90% Paleo, which is more reasonable for us.

For me it's about weight loss. I need a plan that will keep me motivated and something I feel I'm capable of sticking to. It's no good coming up with a great plan, starting, and then realizing it's just too much for me to take on long term. For me to get the best results without getting frustrated, I have to start with a few extras. My big one is peanut butter. I just don't like almond butter. It's not a good substitute for me. And an apple with peanut butter is a staple in my diet. My other big extra is rice. While a grain, it has a weird 'not as bad' thing about it. At least that's what I keep telling myself. And it's better for me to include it while I dump all the other processed things and then worry about it after I'm in a more comfortable place with all the changes.

And really that's the best way to come up with a plan. Some people are the type that can make a big change all at once and not look back. Some people need to do things slowly, building a foundation and working from there.

On Being Sick and Losing Weight

I have a summer cold. It's been brewing for a week and is now in full blown snot status. And I have my kids to thank for it. But they seemed to have the lite version because they haven't slowed down a bit. (Or use the quantity of tissues I do.)  I'm missing the days where I could just hide in bed for a day or two and rest to recover. I feel like one full day of sleep is all it would take. But who has time for that?! I'm missing the days where I could just hide in bed for a day or two and rest to recover. I feel like one full day of sleep is all it would take. But who has time for that?! The worst bit for me is that it's kept us out of the gym. I know I talk about it a lot, but I really love my Crossfit gym.

Since I haven't been to the gym in a week, I've had to really look at my diet. My Whole 30 challenge never turned into more than a Half 30. I'm easily distracted and lazy about cooking. So when someone suggests take-out, I'm not one to turn it down. I have been making better choices. Bunless burgers, naked nuggets, those types of things. But I haven't turned down the french fries. They have no redeeming nutritional value, but man alive, they are tasty.

But I've still lost weight. Why? Because Paleo works, even if you fudge it just a little bit. See, it's about cutting out grains first. I could spew about all the science, but I wont. The fact is, I'm not all that solid on the science of it, except that I've read it. It's all there. It makes perfect sense. But you wont truly understand until you cut them out of your diet.

Things that are true for me just because I've cut out grains:

1. I can eat all the fatty protein I want and still lose weight. Yay for steak and bacon!
2. I eat healthy vitamin filled fruits and still lose weight. No counting carbs for me. I've already cut out the big carbs, grains.
3. When I had gestational diabetes, I could keep my blood sugar in check by not eating grains. It was that simple. (The first time I had to use insulin, because I didn't know better.)
4. I don't get bloated.
5. My bathroom situation is nice and smooth because I get my fiber from soft fruits and veggies, instead of rough grains. (TMI?)

So maybe I should stop there. The point is, I have a lot of good things going because I have cut out grains and the only bad thing is that making a sandwich for lunch is out. Sandwiches are so easy. Want to know what else is easy? Meat with some raw veggies and a handful of nuts, a bowl of premixed salad, an apple and some nutbutter (my usual breakfast), a PaleoKit (oh my goodness, so tasty!), leftover steak (does that exist?). There are so many things you can do besides reach for bread. It's like the creative eating copout.

Sorry, I was trying not to get preachy. It's hard when I know it works and I know it would work for everyone.

But I just CAN'T give up bread?!

I have this conversation a lot:

Them: So what is Paleo?
Me: *insert party line about eating like a caveman and clean foods*
Them: So I'd have to give up bread and cheese?! That sounds great, but I just CAN'T give up bread.
Me: *polite smile*

Well, just so you know, you CAN give up bread. You are just choosing not to.

There are a lot of things in life that just happen. But what you pick up with your hand and put in your mouth is completely up to you. No excuses. You have no choice but to own that fact.

I have no choice but to own that fact.

This photo of Inn at Narrow Passage is courtesy of TripAdvisor

So that said, let me introduce you to my Paleo Wagon. Aint she a beaut.

The ride is bumpy as hell. I fall off all the time. But luckily, I'm not racing. I go slow so when I fall off I have time to dust myself off before I hop back on.

That's really what it's all about. It isn't about if you can give up bread, because you can. It's about making the decision to dust yourself off and get on the wagon.

I can give you all kinds of science about the evils of grains and dairy.  And about how soy shouldn't be a food. But you can research that all on your own.

In the end you are going to decide if you want to make a change for yourself or not. When you do (See, I said when, I'll convince you eventually.), I want you to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Somedays are really easy. Sometimes it's plain ol' hard. Mistakes happen. But it isn't a race, you'll have plenty of time to dust off and get back at it.


Steak with a side of broccoli and carrots? Paleo
Pulled chicken on a giant bed of leafy greens? Paleo
Bacon with a side of bacon? Paleo
4 scrambled eggs and two pieces of sausage? My lunch!


Now, if I have you convinced, there are some great resources in my side bar there. Click away and learn all you can.

If you still think you just can't give up bread or cheese then how about try for a balanced diet. You know, like adding in the rest of the food in the breakfast cereal commercial. After all, grainy-o's and skim milk is not a balanced meal, even the commercial says so. Get out your fancy new First Lady good plate and fill it up appropriately. That means barely more than a 1/5th of your meal should be a grain.

Plate of spaghetti? Not balanced.
Whole grain bagel with low-fat strawberry cream cheese? Not balanced.
Turkey sandwich from Subway? Not balanced.

(Funny how those companies pushing their products would really like you to think otherwise.)

If you really want to see a difference in your waist, your mood, and your energy level. Clean up your diet. It's as simple as that. Go Paleo for 30 days. Join my Whole 30. Do Mark's 30 Day Challenge.