Anddd, I'm back!

Well, lets say it's been awhile yet again.  

The results of the Paleo Experiment were fabulous.  I felt strength and energy along with running faster.  The only thing that hit was time and school began.  The stress load of parent teacher conferences and grades left me in the dust and feeling worn down and not strong enough to stick with what I had started.  Then an injury hit, then illness struck knocking me down even more.

However, in all of that I decided to take it to my advantage.  Being injured and sick allowed me to read more and ponder ideas once again on health.  I developed a battle plan to get me back on track and combat my weak areas.  

Introducing the Flex PLAN

This plan I developed is a plan that works for me.  You can take the same approach, but make it your own.  I took a deep look at the habits I was wanting to break and began to look at them differently and not as strict.  I developed a reward system for myself.  Here's how it looks.  Because of my back ground I eat very healthy foods, so that is not a problem area for me.  These are the areas I struggle with and the things I enjoy about eating are still included.

Your day really starts the night before so here is 

Step 1

If I don't snack or eat when standing and preparing dinner = Shake for after 8pm or plain yogurt with blueberries.  (This is motivation to not eat while preparing food and just to eat what is served.  Allowing the shake or plain yogurt after 8pm doesn't make me feel deprived or rule laden as in the past.)

Step 2

If I only eat the designated snack in the middle of the night = I can eat whatever I want in the morning and while standing.  (Sometimes, I just want to eat whatever I want and do it while milling around in the kitchen.  Allowing this in the morning gives carbs time to digest and get used correctly.  In the mornings you're less likely to binge eat as well)

Step 3

If I drink 8oz x 3 before lunch = organic chocolate bits for dessert at lunch
(I hate drinking water sometimes, but this gives me extra motivation)

Step 4

If I drink 8oz x 3 before my snack = 1/2 a protein bar as a treat  ( I absolutely love protein bars, however they really aren't that healthy for you.  Real food is better and gets you full. Usually after a protein bar I still want another one.  They are also expensive.)

Step 5

If I eat all protein after lunch through the evening and stop when full = Starbucks in the morning
(Okay, paying attention to my body in this area is mega hard for me.  I've always been one that just keeps on eating even if I'm full.  This is a major habit I want to break so I made the reward really high)

Step 6 

If I drink hot water with lime or lemon = flavored drink ( I love the True Lemon powdered drinks at wal-mart.  They are sweetened with stevia and taste yummy, however drinking hot water with lime or lemon is super good for you and will get your insides on the right track along with helping your metabolism speed up)


I will keep you updated with how it's working.  Let me know if you try it as well and what your results are.

Have a fabulous Week!!

Must Get Up

6:00 am Sunday

I've been super sick, but finally feeling better.  Tomorrow I want to do a welcome back run/walk before church.  Prayn' it happens.

Yep! Kale Chips and Brownies

Enough said!  Look weird but loaded with nutrition.  And I tried the paleo brownie bites.  Delicious!  Yes 2 are missing. ;)

The Salad!!!

Check out that quac!!  Massive!

Goin' Paleo

Okay, so yes, it's the rage lately especially with Crossfitters, however this type of lifestyle has been hounding me for years even before 'Paleo' came out.  My body feels so much better and I'm able to run faster.  It also gives me a guide to help my family.

What made me make the final decision?

Working with my daughter in the kitchen.  Enough said!

We, as moms have a lot to pass down.  The old me, loved to snack and eat carbs constantly as I was cooking and I was always hungry.   I'd also eat late in the evening or at night usually cereals and carbs.  I started to notice my 2 little ones doing the same.  The food that we eat isn't necessarily bad per say, but it isn't nourishing our bodies enough to help us.  I don't want to model constant snacking while I'm cooking.  I don't want to model late night eating, which messes up your sleep rhythm.  I don't want to model constant eating either, which causes you to not eat meals correctly.  Because of these things I want to change as I model for my kids, is why I've decided to go for it.

I also had been honestly praying about it for a longtime.  10 years ago I tried the Curves low carb way and felt tremendous results and stopped eating in the middle of the night.  Ever since, I knew that's how my body worked best, however do to outside influence and time I stopped.   I also probably needed to learn more about myself anyway and not do it to try and lose weight.  Now I just want to run faster, help my daughter and feel energetic with my kids.  So in praying to make sure I go down the right path, I feel like this is an easy plan to follow.  In experimenting with it, it was great to not eat at night and feel stronger in my runs.  Now I'm mentally ready to go no matter what others say around me.   Umm, I'm sure it will be tough on me though, so any help would be greatly appreciated.  :)

I'm going to take it slow to start.  I may not be 100% at first, but I know each day is going to be better than the day before until I can get to 100% Paleo.  I've still got Trader Joe's Sunbutter, which has sugar and the TJ's Cookie Butter in my cabinet, so I'm going to finish those of course and a few other things.  Also if it's a lifegroup night or someone has made something for me, I'm going to be relaxed and have it.  I will sill probably do Friday Night Pizza and end with a bowl of granola, because it's a family tradition that we've started and that's more important.  Modeling flexibility in front of my daughter is key as well.

Alright!   To start today for lunch I had the Qdoba Naked Taco Salad with steak and quac.  The cool thing is I'm actually full.  Usually I get fullish, but then want to eat more very soon.  It's kind of relieving in a way.

I also found this great easy to assess web site called paleogrubs.com .  Love it!!

Today I want to make the brownie bites for the week.  They sound super good.

Have a great Sunday and let me know what you are planning on starting new this summer.

Yay, June 1!!!!!

Still Struggling to Write

Okay, so it's not that I have writer's block, I tell myself tons of things to put on the blog, it's just this fear of stepping out and really sharing it.  Afraid people I know will think I'm silly etc.  However today's message at Jamesriver West changed a bit of that fear.

First I will probably always have that fear of what others will think of my blog, but many times as Christians we have to step out of the boat in fear and do what we know we are supposed to do.

Why do I want to share?  Well, here are a few reasons.

The more time I spend with my Heavenly Father I realize that we are on this Earth for the purpose of developing relationships and for women that usually means talking and sharing.

Another reason is, God has done so much for me in my life and I'm called to share it and give back.  It is rude and unthankful to just take what God has given me and not share it.  This was the main message today in church.  Taking what God has given you and using it for his glory.  I hope that in some way this blog may help encourage someone to get out there and run, or change their eating habits which in turn will help them be a better mom to raise better children.  If it helps one person, then that's accomplishing more if I hadn't have done anything.  That one person will lead to a chain of events I'm sure, which in turn will help even more.

Practicing sharing and encouraging others will help me to be even more bold.  

I am thinking that, what is so special about my blog and why would anyone want to read it.  There are soo many other good blogs out there with moms that are Way Mega Moms, as I'd call them, but I'm just going to keep on keeping on.  I will get better at blogging with time and it doesn't have to be perfect right out of the gate.

See my next post as to what journey I'm starting next with health and nutrition. :)

 

Paintaramma

Painting at grandma's house!  Paint is everywhere.  Probably in my nose, but quality time with Abs!!  ;)