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Monday, January 31, 2011

Decadent?!?!

As I was eating my snack of about 1.5 ounces of tri-tip beef the other day someone asked what I had.  Of course I told him what it was.  Yummy, delicious STEAK.  It makes a wonderful afternoon snack, especially after a good morning workout.  A little protein re-stock a few hours later always makes me feel better and keeps me from being hungry.

He told me that was a very decadent snack.  Decadent?  Really?  He asked if steak was my snack, what was I going to have for dinner.  I replied (of course), "I dunno, maybe more steak?  We have some pork loin in the fridge and I roasted some chicken.  Whatever it is, it'll be yummy!"  What more could I say?  I mean yeah some veggies, maybe a dollop, or two, of butter.  But, what else would someone have for dinner?  Cheese cake?

Now, cheesecake is what I think of when i think decadent.  Not steak.  Steak is just good eats!

I wonder if that is why so many people have such a hard time with my lifestyle.  Maybe they just can't wrap their brain around being 'decadent'?


So, a quick Challenge Update.

I still can't do push-ups on the floor.  I think 10 was very aggressive.  I am hoping for 2 'good' push-ups.  I am up to 20 on the stairs though.  That is way better than the 5 I was doing to start.  I KNOW I need to do some upper back and core work to get my push-ups where they need to be.

Mount Washmore?  Getting there, conquering the entire mountain may never happen, but I can mostly see the laundry room floor, huge plus!

I batch cooked this weekend!  Only two meals, but at least I did something.  I need to get some groceries tomorrow to get us set up for the rest of the week, or two.  I found out that the Sam's here has a good deal on frozen berries.  I think I might need them.  I eat a lot of berries, nom, nom, nom.

Let's see, what are my other goals?  Ah, hmmm.  I don't remember.

Weigh-in in the morning.  Hopefully, I can FINALLY see 157....pretty please!

I am totally thinking about getting Insanity.  I want a crazy home exercise program.  I think it would be good because it is something N1S can do too.  He is going to be playing football and probably should start getting in shape now so he doesn't feel left behind when he starts practice.  The other good thing is it doesn't require any extra equipment.

So, just one more week on the challenge.  I already know I didn't do as well as I have previously.  Because of this it is going to be right back to it after this one is over.  I actually considered just ending this one early and starting again, but that really seems like cheating.  So, I am accepting that I might not reach my goals, but it will NOT be a failure.  It will be a learning experience.  Getting back into the swing of things and moving on.

Roast Duck!

So I roasted a duck last night, and it turned out really yummy.  It isn't as good as the one my mom makes, but I didn't have her recipe and went from memory.  This is when I discovered why I rarely share what I cook.  It is kind of hard to share a recipe when you don't use any and you don't know how much of everything you are putting in!  So how does an 'intuitive' cook share their deliciousness?

I can give you the ingredients:
duck, rinsed and dried


about 1/4 cup soy sauce (to be truly primal you would want tamari- wheat free)
1 bunch scallions (AKA green onions)
4 cloves garlic
about 1 inch of fresh ginger
1 tbsp honey
3 pods of star anise
rice vinegar
about 1/2 cup water

Pre-heat oven to 375
combine soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey and vinegar and then pour over and in duck
place duck in roasting pan with green onions (duck should be dressed, I used the flap of fat and skin to hold the legs in place)
place in oven, set timer for, well about 10 minutes or so.
turn oven down to 325, baste duck, add water
taste the sauce about 20 minutes later, decide it isn't "right", add more flavors: garlic powder, ginger from the spice rack because you are too lazy to chop more from the freezer, a little more honey- about 1 tbsp all mixed with about 1-2 more tbsp soy sauce.  Pour over duck, add another anise pod.
roast with lid on now for about 1.5 hours.  Then remove lid and roast for about 20 minutes.  Decide you want to roast a pork for later in the week, prepare the pork.  Let it sit for about 20 minutes, preheat the oven to 400.  DOn't take the duck out, the skin needs to crisp up a bit.

Take the duck out when the oven is pre-heated for the pork.  Realize that although the duck is finished, it might have been better long and low.  Decide to follow a bit more direction in the cooking portion.  We want the skin crispier next time ;)



Saturday, January 29, 2011

Woot! Woot!

This is of course 'unofficial' but this a.m. I weighed myself and I was 157.6, yay!  I wanted to see where I was in hopes that it would keep away the 'just ones'.  I think it will.

Knowing I could be at my short term goal on weigh-in day would be very happy making.  So, there will not be 'just one' chip, or 'just one' bite of bread, or 'just one' piece of pizza.  There may be 'just one' glass of wine, but I know I can lose if I have wine, but not other types of alcohol.

Eats so far:
1.5 slice of bacon
1.5 hard boiled eggs
1.5 ounce beef tri-tip
2 cups of coffee with heavy cream.  First cup had 5 semi-sweet chocolate chunks and 5 mint chips.

Not sure about the exercise thing, unless you count the 10 mins I spent being silly with the girls and M-Man dancing around.


I really need to start adding more food photos and recipes for folks!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

What to say?

Nothing too exciting.  I have been really doing well with making lunches for me and Number 1 Son.  Well, I have been making my lunch for quite some time, but just started it for N1S recently.  The food they serve at lunch is not that great, and he seems to pick some of the worst choices they have.  So, for the first time in his public school education, I am making him lunch.  He doesn't always eat it all, but I figure even most of the time is better than burgers and pizza everyday.  I was thinking I should make lunch for my honey too, he might feel a bit left out.

I didn't work on laundry mountain tonight.  It wasn't because I forgot, but more of a burnout from folding about 6 loads of laundry last night.  I will wash an extra load tomorrow (I did wash/dry the morning load today).

My treats today: 1 piece chocolate, a piece of brie cheese, one bite of gluten free cake.
My fruits/veggies: cabbage, bell pepper, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, onion, plantain- not all were full servings, but I think it adds up to 5 servings total.

Exercise: LHT and sprint again.  Similar workout as Tuesday, just a little more directive from the PTL. Pyramid push-ups, squats, squat jumps, crunches, lunges and mountain climbers.  Sprints between each exercise, then run 3 laps around the field and walk two (I ran 2 walked one because my knee doesn't like the circles)

I guess that means tomorrow can be just a move slowly day, although I think I will get on the Total Gym and do some pull-ups :)

That's all for now.  Tomorrow is Friday!  Woot!!!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Quick Update

I mde progress on laundry mountain!!!!  We got all the stuff folded from the top of the washer/dryer.  Not only that, but all my stuff and the kids stuff was put away, this is monumental!  I am thinking this new system might work, and then once the largest part of it is done we can work on a set night for each person.

I ate okay today.  I am hoping that I see some results, but I am thinking it might be time to limit my dairy again.  Yeah, I seem to be stuck.  It is either sodium or cheese, or maybe both.

I weighed 160.1 today, yup, keeping it real.  I didn't want to admit to that, but I have to.  I really think it is a result of the alcohol this weekend, so none this weekend for me (did you read that guys, none), well maybe one glass of wine.  Definitely no Carolans, too much sugar!

-Track food, at a minimum log 'treats'- one square of dark chocolate, some cheese and H&H
-Eat 5-10 veggies and fruits per day: just barely 5 :(
-Lift heavy things 2 times per week: 1 time so far
-Sprint once per week (can be tabata): already!
-Move slowly 2-3 times per week: not yet, need to work on this one- still
-Play: this wasn't on my list, but should be.  Eh, it is really something I need to work on- still


I have been managing to get to bed before 11:30, but need to work on getting it bck to 11.


That is it for now.  I need to get to sleep, it is 11:05 ;)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What Day Is It?

\I don't know, I started on January 11th I think, that would make it Day 15 or something.





Better is how I can describe it.  I am beginning to think it is time to throw in teh towel on laundry mountain.  I am having so much trouble sticking to the plan because it is fairly overwhelming.  Plus, I am so friggin forgetful about some things, especially things I just don't want to do.  So, instead of the one person a day I am changing my strategy.  I am going to wash a load at night before bed, toss it in the dryer in the morning.  Start another load in the morning and then toss it in the dryer when I get home.  After dinner, homework, baths, making lunches, studying for promotion testing (or maybe during with the audio book?), I will fold it and put it away.  I might feel like I could even do the schedule if I do it this way, but it requires to much remembering and I think I need it in smaller steps.

Food was great today.

My eats:

B: two eggs scrambled with coconut milk and hot sauce, sausage patty
C: 2.5 cups (read about 3-4) coffee, half & half, coconut milk, about 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
Snack: 7 wasabi almonds, 3 macadamia nuts
lunch: shrimp salad (mayo, sushi seasoning, onions, garlic), cabbage leaves, orange bell pepper, parmesan crusted zucchini rounds (dipped in garlic flavored egg wash), 1 square dark chocolate
S: mixed berries with coconut milk and cinnamon
S: a few almonds, a few walnuts, a bit of chocolate and a few white chocolate chips (I should call this 'trail mix' and say it was about 2 tbsp...lol)
Dinner: yummy homemade clam chowderish soup with leeks and parsnips, 1/2 corn muffin
S:  1 slice liverwurst, zucchini rounds

Damn, I eat a lot.  I really felt like I ate great today, but maybe too much....rofl.  I had started to tally it up, you know log it on an internet based tracking system.  I really wanted to finish it off today, but then I made a homemade soup, and I don't feel like going through the hassle of logging it in.  Well, that and the site doesn't seem to want to let me go to that part of the site :(

So, I will try to track tomorrow, well more accurately anyway.  If I can remember what I ate I might try adding today's stuff tomorrow.

Oh, I did a LHT at the same time as getting in a sprint workout.  We had to sprint part way down the indoor field and back.  We worked out for 35 mins and just kept sprinting and doing calisthenics of our choice.  So a twofer!  Love it.


-Plan meals for the week and pre-cook 1-2 weekday meals on the weekend: nope :( not this week-Track food, at a minimum log 'treats'- Eat 80-90% Primal- so far this week :)
-Eat 5-10 veggies and fruits per day: heck yeah!
-Lift heavy things 2 times per week: 1 time so far
-Sprint once per week (can be tabata): already!
-Move slowly 2-3 times per week: not yet, need to work on this one
-Play: this wasn't on my list, but should be.  Eh, it is really something I need to work on




These are the "Before" pics for this challenge,  I need to find my other shorts the ones I am wearing in these photos are HORRIBLE!!!!!  Plus, the other pair was easier to see in :)


I will do  better job with them at the end, dedicate an entire post to the 'before and after' reveal.






















Monday, January 24, 2011

Need to Find Motivation

Yeah, it has been low lately.  I *want to get to my goals, I just don't really *want to do the work to get there.  I need to work on that.

I am doing fairly well with eating during the week, but can't seem to keep it together on the weekend.  This is something I REALLY need to work on.

But, what has been the biggest struggle is stupid Mt. Washmore.  It just isn't happening.  That I REALLY, REALLY need to take care of...sigh.

So, today I ate well:
1 tbsp pecans, 2 walnut halves, two macedamia halves, homemade beef jerky, 7 Wasabi & Soy Sauce almonds. 

coffee with H&H and coconut milk 

lunch: hamburger patty, 5 shrimp, mixed berries with coconut milk and cinnamon, carrot. 


green tea with coconut milk- 2 cups


dinner: chicken (fried no skin), 1 beef rib, 4 parmesan crusted zucchini rounds, 7 almonds, brie


after dinner: 5 chocolate chunks (you know the kind for baking), a few walnut pieces, a few raspberries


So, I think I also need to re-cap my goals to help me remember what I want to achieve.  I added them to the side where my weigh-ins are.  I actually did really well on exercise last week.  I exercised 3 times, with a sprint on Friday and "LHT" on Tuesday and Thursday.  I did not track treats and stuff that well though.


Okay, that is all for now.  I will be trying to be better with getting on here everyday.

Need to Find Motivation

Yeah, it has been low lately.  I *want to get to my goals, I just don't really *want to do the work to get there.  I need to work on that.

I am doing fairly well with eating during the week, but can't seem to keep it together on the weekend.  This is something I REALLY need to work on.

But, what has been the biggest struggle is stupid Mt. Washmore.  It just isn't happening.  That I REALLY, REALLY need to take care of...sigh.

So, today I ate well:
1 tbsp pecans, 2 walnut halves, two macedamia halves, homemade beef jerky, 7 Wasabi & Soy Sauce almonds. 

coffee with H&H and coconut milk 

lunch: hamburger patty, 5 shrimp, mixed berries with coconut milk and cinnamon, carrot. 


green tea with coconut milk- 2 cups


dinner: chicken (fried no skin), 1 beef rib, 4 parmesan crusted zucchini rounds, 7 almonds, brie


after dinner: 5 chocolate chunks (you know the kind for baking), a few walnut pieces, a few raspberries


So, I think I also need to re-cap my goals to help me remember what I want to achieve.  I added them to the side where my weigh-ins are.  I actually did really well on exercise last week.  I exercised 3 times, with a sprint on Friday and "LHT" on Tuesday and Thursday.  I did not track treats and stuff that well though.


Okay, that is all for now.  I will be trying to be better with getting on here everyday.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Choices- revisited

So, I talked recently about choices, how we choose to eat food or not eat food.  How we don't cheat, we know that we are choosing to eat something that might be bad for us, or we think a moment and we chose to eat the food we know is healthy.

In a sense this means we choose to be fat, or unhealthy, or unhappy.  It is our choice.  It is not McDonald's fault that you are fat, Ronald McDonald did not grab you by the hand with the burger in one hand and your jaw in the other and force feed you.  If your parents didn't teach you healthy habits as a child, it is NOT their fault that you have not now learned the right things to eat, obviously you can read ;)  It is not the schools fault the children are fat, make your child's lunch.  It is not the governments fault, if you try following the food pyramid and it doesn't work, well then look for something that does.

It is time for people to open their eyes and admit that they are responsible for their weight.  You may have a medical condition, you may have taken a medication that made you gain weight.  Yes, I understand this, been there done that.  But, if you are still fat months or years later, it is still your fault.  Well, your body anyway.  You can't blame anything or anyone else.

Maybe you have a thyroid condition, or took DEPO or steroids.  Well those things don't last forever.  There are ways to make it work.  There are ways to lose the weight, even if it has been difficult or impossible in the past.  How do I know this with such certainty?

I gained a considerable amount of weight in 2005.  I had my daughter in July 2005 my top weight during her pregnancy was 205 pounds.  By mid September I was down to 176.  In December 2005 I went to the doctor because I was up to 205 pounds again, while eating well and exercising.  I don't even know for certain what my top weight ended up being.  In January 2006, I was diagnosed as being hypothyroid with a TSH of 100.  This started a long journey of weight loss.  I started medication and in the first 6 months I lost a little bit of weight, probably about 10 pounds or so.

After that it was a struggle.  I know what it is to struggle with your weight, to do everything possible and still not lose, or maybe lose 1-2 pounds a month.  I struggled enough that I decided there was no reason for me to  stay in the military since I had been unable to lose enough weight from January 2006 until July 2009.

Enter The Primal Blueprint and The Paleo Diet.  They saved my life.  After years of calorie restriction and exercising without success I was finally able to lose weight, effortlessly.  It was a miracle, or so I thought, until I began researching it.  It wasn't a miracle it was science.

If you are interested in the science of it read the book Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes.  Or take the time to lurk around on Dr. Eades blog, or the PaNu blog.  They can explain it a lot better than I can. Or you could take the time to go read this: http://entropyproduction.blogspot.com/2009/02/all-medical-science-is-wrong-within-95.html

I just really think it is time for people to realize that their choices are what got them fat, and their choices keep them fat.  Regardless of a medical condition, there is a way for every person to lose weight and get healthy, you just have to be willing to look closely and change things up if they don't work.  Or, you might just have to be willing to 'go against the grain'.  Ditch it and feel better :)

Quit making excuses and get healthy!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sunlight!

So, no we still don't have the best sunlight yet, but it is actually making it off the horizon and into the sky.  Definitely leading to longer days and giving the hint of spring.  Although, it is still below zero and probably will get colder over the next few weeks.

Today was a pretty good day.  I didn't really eat as many veggies/fruits as I wanted to, but I stuck pretty well to the plan.  I just wasn't hungry for them, wasn't totally hunger today at all, although my calories don't show that.  I ate pretty well.

Hubby made some interesting treats, a chocolate covered prune, pretty tasty :)

I let hubby take some pictures of me this morning, but I was afraid to look at them.  I suppose I should upload them for integrity.  Sigh.

Here's to keeping up the goodness.

Oh, I did turn down Cheetos today that is a huge deal for me, I love them.

Ah well, I am not feeling too chatty tonight.  No real deep thoughts to share.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Determining the 10-20%

I had no clue how to do that.  Really, by ratio, by weight, by how much it looks like compared to the rest of my food.  I decided to go straight up with the calories.  So I added the number of calories from all non-primal foods. Today that would be the 9 chocolate covered espresso beans, 2 squares of Ritter-Sport 72% dark chocolate and a 2 tablespoons of half and half.

I then divided that total by the total number of calories I ate.  It came to 9%.  So, I figure it is pretty darn close :)

I realize a lot of people don't like the 20% rule.  And you know what?  I don't give a rats a$$.  This is my life and my choice.  I want to stay primal as long as possible and for me to do that and still enjoy the way I eat, it is going to include chocolate and some dairy products.  That is all there is to it.  I have been told I am not 'paleo' or, 'well that isn't very primal is it?'  You know what?  I still don't care.  I am not really a caveman, we have some things in modern society I refuse to part with.  Chocolate isn't the only one.  I will NOT go back to sand paper toilet paper, or a leaf or some craziness.  I like my Charmin thank you very much.  And Bounty paper towels.  You won't see me doing a lot of things our ancestors did, it just isn't happening.  I like chocolate I eat chocolate.  I'm not paleo, now my feelings are hurt...sniff, sniff.

Seriously, it just isn't that hardcore for me.  I am reaping the benefits of the diet and the happiness my little bit of chocolate gives me.

Am I try to justify my indulgence?  No, I feel no need to justify anything.  I am just letting you know that some one can throw spears at me and say I am not 'paleo' or 'primal' and that is okay.  I am NOT really either of those.  I am me and I choose to stay me as healthy as I can, while still eating chocolate every day.

Bison Chili

Bison Chili from TPB Cookbook

My husband who loves me the most made this for our dinner, it was so worth the picture.

Why Is It?

Why is it that when I am doing a 30DC the thought of abstaining from a Reese's Peanut Butter Heart is easy.  I saw one, I wanted one and I chose not to eat it.  I played the thought game, "you can have just one, it is small!"  But, I decided not to eat it.  Why can I do it so easily by telling myself it won't help me stick to the challenge, but in normal "life" I can find a way to justify it?   I need to work on that.  The Reese's Heart isn't any better for me 28 days from now than it is today.  I need to just learn to say, 'no' all the time.

Today has been a good day so far, I ate only two squares of dark chocolate.  I can live with that.  I turned down the Reese's heart, I can really live with that.

We are having yummy bison chili with avocado for dinner, my wonderful husband cooked it for me.  He is the best.  I should take some pictures and share :)

I need to get to the laundry, we have a ton that needs to be folded.  I really hate doing laundry, can you tell?

Tht's all for now, more update later.  I am going to try to figure out if I am literally sticking to my percentage for the 10-20%.  I think just going by the percentage of my calories will give me an idea if it is going over or not.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Here Goes! Day One

So this is it, getting to be the end of Day 1 of the 30DC.

Here are my measurements:

weight: 158.1
BF% by impedance: 29% (woot! down a point already, go hydration)
BF% by measurement:  You have 27.6% body fat.
                                                 You have 43.6 Pounds of fat and 114.4 Pounds of lean (muscle, bone, body water)
All measurements in inches
ankle: 7.5
calf: 14 1/8
lower thigh: 17
upper thigh: 22
hips: 40 (sigh)
waist: 
      natural waist (NW) -34.5       AF measurement- 37 (eek!)  AF measurement sucking it in-  34.5
chest: 35
wrist: 6 1/8
forearm: 10
upper arm:      relaxed- 11 contracted- 11.25
neck: 13.25

     So, there it is.  The starting over point.  I really feel like the last few months have had a negative impact on my health.  I need to keep that in mind if I am injured again and find a way to maintain my muscle composition.  Going backwards on all those things has been quite an eyeopener.  I do have to say though that I took the measurements at night.  I may redo the waist and chest measurements because of all the water and stuff in my belly right now.  They are probably more accurate in the morning.
Other goals:
 Laundry-    Got the girls laundry in the wash.  I couldn't remember which day it was for what was supposed to be accomplished, but as long as one was done it isn't a complete failure if I did the wrong load. 
Fitness- Did 10 minutes of running without stopping, then about 12 minutes of walking.  I finished that portion with two 200 meter sprints.  I did a total of 40 counter level push-ups, with the closer grip.  Wow, those are more difficult!  I can do it though, I know I can.    
Nutrition-  I didn't log on the food tracker today, but I will tomorrow. I think that is helpful, especially for anyone wondering what exactly I do eat.
     veggies/fruit: celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, apple, berries
     off plan- 1 square dark chocolate, 3 chocolate covered coffee beans (<10% off)
     water 90+ ounces
Day 1 seems like a success to me.  I could have had a bite of a steak finger (grains) or a piece of a candy cane (just not good), but I didn't I said, "no".  I could have skipped the sprints.  I made a lot of choices today, and all of them were good.  Oh, yeah and free pizza.  I could have had free pizza, but I just the topping today.  Oh, yeah baby.  The power of the 30DC!
Let's see what tomorrow brings!
Little personal things not specific to the challenge:
in bed by 11 on work nights
drink 80+ oz of water
make lunches night before
I think that is enough for one night.  More 'deep thoughts' to come as the 30DC continues.

Has anyone decided to join me?  Let me know and make a comment!


Sunday, January 9, 2011

The Challenge is On!!!!

It will start on Tuesday.  Why Tuesday?  Because that is the next day I will go to the gym where the scale with the body fat system is located.  Since one of my goals is to reduce body fat, it makes sense to start then.

So I am pretty sure these will be my goals for the end of the challenge:

Lose 1-2% body fat
Do 10 good push-ups (real on the floor)
Conquer Mt. Washmore

I already outlined how I would conquer Mt. Washmore, which is still my plan.

So here is the outline for my other goals:

-Plan meals for the week and pre-cook 1-2 weekday meals on the weekend
-Track food, at a minimum log 'treats'- Eat 80-90% Primal
-Eat 5-10 veggies and fruits per day
-Lift heavy things 2 times per week
-Sprint once per week (can be tabata)
-Move slowly 2-3 times per week

I think this is a pretty doable plan and I am really pretty excited to get started again.  My next fitness test is in April and I would like to be able to do all the components without an exemption, including push-ups.  I have decided to train myself to do push-ups with a narrower grip to see if that helps my shoulder pain.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Body fat

Well, my body fat percentage is up a bit.  This doesn't surprise me since I have NOT been doing any strength training since mid October.

The scale at teh gym gives me 30%, before I stopped lifting it was down to 28%

The internet application that uses measurements gives me this:


Your Results
You have 27.5% body fat.
You have 43.5 Pounds of fat and 114.5 Pounds of lean (muscle, bone, body water).
I am pretty sure that was down to about 26% in October.  So they both show about the same percentage change, for the worse!

So, ligt heavy things will definitely be a part of my challenge!

Preliminary Challenge Thoughts

So, it is definitely time for another 30 Day Challenge!  I figure if I keep doing them they will become second nature to me :)

So, this challenge is not entirely about weight loss, and my body fat goals.  It is about healthy living in general.  We have a laundry monster in our house, it lives on Mount Washmore.  It makes me sad to see it, and not be able to slay that dragon.  Sadness is not a part of long term health.  So, one part of this challenge is going to include a method to over come Mount Washmore.  I proposed a laundry schedule, which I think will help.  Originally hubby said, 'well we still need to do an extra load of colors everyday.'  While I agree with this, it kept me from starting my schedule, and then the one load of colors didn't get accomplished either and Mount Washmore grew even higher!  So, regardless of doing the extra load, if I consistently do the scheduled load, it will eventually disappear.  One of my priorities for this challenge is to do a load of wash each day.

Wash schedule:
Monday: girls
Tuesday: Big son
Wednesday: Little Son
Thursday: Me
Friday: Hubby
Sat: whites
Sunday: towels, sheets, etc.

THe plan is to have BigSon and LittleSon help on their days with the actual washing/drying.  They are 11 and 8, so plenty big enough to help  out.  BigDaughter can help too, with collecting her clothes and her sister's clothes too.  If I stick to the plan and hubby does even just one random load a few times a week, I think we could conquer Mt. Washmore in no time at all.  We will all be happier too.  Less stress at bedtime and in the morning searching for school clothes, less visual clutter upstairs.  Less stress overall will be better for everyone!

So, that is my first goal.  Work on Mt. Washmore.

Now to decide on my fitness and food goals.  They will probably be about the same as my other challenges, since those are still good things to achieve.  The difference will be in how I implement my plan of action to reach those goals, i.e. my daily goals for each item.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Choices

My mind has been just stuck on choices lately.  We have choices and make choices and suffer the consequences of our choices everyday.  I really am just stuck on the thought that I can choose, I am allowed to make these choices.  Maybe it is the time I spent from November 2006 until November 2009 on the Healthy Living Program, being told what to eat and how much, and replace whole milk with reduced fat and eat turkey and lean chicken in place of steaks and real bacon.  I have been eating the way I want since August 2009, I have been making the right choices the majority of the time, so why now?  What has spurred this idea that I can choose this?

Part of it was the holidays, as I mentioned, eating cookies and candy.  Eating chips and things made with pastry.  I didn't feel terrible, I don't have a bad physical reaction like some people do.  I didn't feel as well as I normally do though, and my belly was bloated, even though it didn't feel like it.  At any rate, I could feel it wasn't quite right.  I could tell that if I kept it up I would lose my good health, and that is the farthest thing from what I want in life.  So, I realized it is a choice.  I think before now it wasn't.  Before this new realization, I was doing it so I could keep my job.  I was doing it to get my waist small enough to pass my fitness test.  Yes, it was to be healthy, but if I chose anything else I would fail my test.  Now, it has been almost a year since I passed that fitness test after all those years.  Now?  Now, I can pass my fitness test even if I can't run or do any push-ups or sit-ups at all.  It won't be a pretty score, but I can do it.  My 34 inch waist has afforded me that.

I think that is why now it is a choice.  Now, I could eat those foods that I currently avoid.  If I ate them in moderation I wouldn't gain a lot of weight.  I am one of those people that gets stuck at a specific weight for a long time.  So I could have sandwiches if I wanted, or slices of pizza or bowls of pasta.  But, the thing is I don't want them.  Not often enough for it to matter.  There is no Vinnie's or Dusal's here.  There are no delicious eggplant parm subs, or real cheesesteaks.  There is no reason to waste my health on Pizza hut, or Taco Bell.  We do have a decent Tex-Mex place, but am I going to drive 30 minutes on a regular basis for some burritos?  Probably not, and even if we do go there they have a delicious lengua dish that I can get without the tortilla, and chalk the beans up to my 20%.  See how easy that choice is?  Drive past Taco Bell to the good place and fill my belly with wonderful meat.  Doesn't seem too hard to me.

I told a friend tonight about how I might deal with pasta.  A bowl of grilled veggies, all things I like.  Asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, onions and maybe some peppers.  Top that with sauce, some cheese and sausage or meatballs.  A bowl of yum is what I am thinking.  Pasta?  Who needs it.  Nutritionally, the veggies give me more bang for my buck!

Wow, that totally wasn't were I was going with this.

But, I need to say what my choice is right now.  Right now I am faced with the choice to weigh some fraction of 158 pounds or not on Monday.  I am choosing NOT to weigh any portion of 158.  I don't want to weigh the 158.5 I weighed on Thursday.  I don't want to weigh; 158, 158.1, 158.2, 158.3, 158.4, 158.5, 158.6, 158.7, 158.8, 158.9.  I don't want to weigh any of those.

So where is the choice you ask?  I can achieve this goal two ways, or not achieve it.  I can choose to eat and drink whatever I want right?  I am a big girl and it is MY life and MY health and MY waist measurement.  So, how can I choose?  I can choose to do what I do every weekend.  I can choose to have a few drinks (of the adult variety) with my friends.  I can choose to let myself justify a few chips, or a piece of pizza, or a bite of a brownie (or whatever other treats happen to appear on the weekends).  I can choose any of those, and in doing so achieve my goal.  Wait?  Didn't I just say I didn't want to weigh any part of 158?  Yup, and if I make THOSE choices, I won't weigh 158 on Monday.  Goal achieved when I step on the scale and weigh 159, or even 160.  But, will that choice make me happy?

HELL no!

So, my other option is to do nothing, then I fail at my goal.

And the third option, is I remember that this is life.  This is my lifestyle, and I need to live everyday the way that makes me feel good, and the way that I am happy.  Enter bacon, it makes me happy.  And eggs, with cheese, oh and tomatoes.  Eggs with grilled tomatoes, yum!  Come on tea, with a dollop of coconut milk.  Oh, and steak you can come to my party too!  If those are the choices I make, I am almost 100% guaranteed to achieve my goal.  Maybe it will be 157.9, but that would be success!

So, what choice do YOU think I will make?

I suppose, only time will tell.


**disclaimer:  I will not consider myself a failure if I chose to eat right, and still don't get below 158.  I do understand that sometimes it isn't 100% in our control.  And I am okay with that, as long as I know I did take care of the things that *I* have control over.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Everyday, It's about Life Baby!

I chose this day and everyday to be me 100%.  Today, I was primal 20%, but me 100%.  And it feels great.

My 20% you ask?  A cup of hot cocoa with a shot of Bailey's.  If your gonna do a 20%, you might as well make it worth it!  Delish.

My 80%  Time for the eats:

b: yes, scrambled eggs again, with H&H, coconut milk and cream cheese finished with a dash of 'cock' sauce
L: BAS; mixed greens, cukes, tomatoes, broccoli with Cowgirl Ranch and a dash of parmesan. tri-tip tartare with salt and adobo
snack: almonds, walnuts, 1 square dark chocolate
snack: green tea with coconut, 1 oz baby brie
snack: mixed berries with heavy cream
afternoon drink: coffee with H&H
dinner: cheddar brat, beef tri-tip tartare
dessert: hot cocoa with Bailey's


                    

Calories                    Carbs
Totals:1,88610612395 
Your Daily Goal:1,390 - 1,740184 - 26636 - 6460 - 144 
Remaining Today:078 - 16000 - 49

                                                                                                                                      fat        protein

As you can see I am well over some of the ranges this site says I should consume.  I also just ignore what it tells me.  It is a liar :)

Had Squadron PT this morning, we did a bit of circuit training, it was okay but I like my own workouts better.  Tomorrow I can do my own thing so I am excited about that.  I am thinking tabata thrusters for warm-up then knee push-ups, weighted lunges, planks, side planks and dumbbell chest press.  Three 'sets' of each.

I had lots of thoughts I wanted to share, but my brain doesn't seem to want to share right now.  Maybe more later :)

Maybe cookies tomorrow.  I have been feeling like trying out some primal recipes and i have ingredients for cookies.

When to go for it?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Let's ROLL!!!! AKA "I'm baaaack"

I have been such a slacker with my blog. It was time to get back to it, well, it was time a few weeks ago, I was just too lazy to do it. But, lucky you....I'm BACK!!!! 

Primal and happy of course. 

Quick low down of today's eats, then thoughts :) 

B-fast: 2 eggs scrambled with cream cheese, baby carrots 
coffee: too much, with about 2 tbsp heavy cream 
lunch: pork chop, butternut squash with butter 
snack: 5 almonds, 7 walnut halves, 2 squares dark chocolate 
dinner: pork chop (marinated in coconut milk and Indian spices), broccoli, sweet potato oven fries, 1 bite of a steak finger and about 1/4 of a chicken strip 
snack: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries with vanilla, 2 tbsp cream and pumpkin pie spice 
drinks: green tea iced tea (no sugar), hot green tea with coconut milk and lots of water 

What a great food day! I am so happy with how I ate and I feel great. Could I have skipped the bite of the steak finger and avoided the breading? Of course I could, same for the chicken strip. I probably *should have skipped both, but I didn't. Guess what? I don't feel guilty. I decided I wanted a taste and I had it. In the big picture, it is nothing but a bite. It didn't derail my efforts to get healthy. 

I am not a perfect primal princess. I am me, and i am doing this on my terms. A long term lifestyle that works for me. So, it includes some dark chocolate, Ritter-Sport of course and on occasion a bite of breaded goodness. When I was making that meal I had EVERY intention of eating a serving of each. Then I remembered the left over pork chop, and decided to go for that instead. So, when you see my food log for the day, you could look at it as *fail. My explanation of substituting the pork chop for two full servings of junk, hmmm changes the perspective a bit no? 

That is what this blog is about today. It is about choices. I ate bad over the holidays. Not as bad as I have in the past, letting my self go crazy from Thanksgiving until after New Year's. No, I wasn't a nut-so, but I didn't stick 100% to my plan. Even my 'attack the holidays' plan went a little awry when we decided to have friends over the weekend before Christmas. I had planned on only eating off plan on the specific holiday only and not in between. Well, this lead to FAR less bingeing and indulgences, but I still had more than just 3-4 off plan days. But, trying to keep it to special occasions only, did keep it to only 3 pounds gained on the Monday after NYE. And, by the next day 1.5# was gone. So, in reality only a 1.5# gain. Not too shabby! 

That gain was the result of a conscious decision to eat in a manner that I know isn't healthy. The difference between this year and times in the past? The difference is I am NOT letting it keep my in the wrong mentality. I am choosing to know that it was okay to eat like that. I am choosing to allow myself to enjoy what I had, the food, the friends the fun. 

I am choosing to live life, and enjoy it. 

I am choosing to be primal because I want to choose to eat bacon, and steak and eggs and all the yummy stuff that I love. Because I MISSED it. I thought about the grains, the potatoes and the sugars I had been eating and realized that none of them tasted quite as good as scrambled eggs with coconut milk and sriracha sauce. Nothing is as delicious as Thai green curry with shrimp. Jalapenos stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. These are the foods I love. But, if I want to eat them I KNOW I can't eat the grains, beans pr potatoes. 

I spent a lot of time about two weeks ago going through my old food journals, I have them since before 2006. In 2006 I started using www.sparkpeople.com, and have food journals since that time. Not 100% compliant, but enough to get a good idea of my food habits over hte years. I *thought that I didn't go 'low carb' until I started the Primal Blueprint. I thought wrong. Even in 2006, 2007 and 2008 I was eating only between 35-55% of my calories from carbs. I was essentially 'low carb' according to SP and The Food Guide Pyramid. Yet between 2006 and Aug 2009 I only lost about 10 pounds or so,. So, if it wasn't the carb ratio...what the heck was it? 

Specifically it was the grains, the beans and the potatoes. When I first went pale/primal I was eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. It was summer in NJ and the produce was abundant, a half of watermelon, a pint of berries, plantains on a regular basis. My carb ratio stayed the same, but my weight loss did not. After YEARS of struggling and hungry and frustration Iw as losing weight. I am a special snowflake indeed, calories in/calories out does not apply to me. I was eating far more calories (which technically means I was also eating more grams of carbohydrate) and I steadily lost 30 pounds in 4 months. 

I posted on my blog in Nov 2009 my cholesterol results, which were much better. Same nutrient ratios. Better results. Where your food comes from matters! This was the lesson I learned. This is what has lead me to choose to eat primal. To choose health and happiness. 

Perfection is not my goal. I am so not a perfect person. But choosing happiness, that is within my scope of care. I can choose to eat right and be healthy. Lucky for me the choices I make are not only good for me, but fun and yummy. Can't beat that :)