Day 2 (28 Days) Easy Does It

I have to say that Day 2 has been remarkably easier than Day 1.  Last night, I ended up eating a banana right before bed because I just didn't feel right.  I was afraid it was the new diet and I would wake up feeling like shit but I didn't!  I think I just needed a good night of sleep.

I am a little achy from working out on Monday but am actually really, really excited to head to the gym tomorrow.  I am not kidding.  This whole CrossFit workout is super hard work but totally fun in a I want to punish myself for eating all those donuts sort of way.  I know I am just beginning but it feels right.  I have done the regular gym thing in the past....I do the treadmill or bike or elliptical machine but I think actually pushing yourself to workout to your limit is a really hard thing to do.  For me, this group setting (with a trainer watching your every move) makes sense.  Clearly, if I had self motivation and a little restraint in the past, I would not be in the situation I am now. (aka fat mom).
 

Kelly P. Eating Paleo!

 So, for breakfast I had 2 eggs and some delicious bacon that my colleague and friend Kelly P. cooked on the grill.  I am so lucky to have her....when I told her about the Paleo diet she didn't say I was crazy for thinking about it.  She told me that she would do it too so we could support each other.  I am trying hard not to start blubbering like a fool (although I bet it burns some calories) but how amazing is that?  I mean, let's face it.  We are really with our coworkers as much, if not more, as we are with our families... Kelly P. and I are taking turns cooking each other's meals, basically talking about Paleo whenever we have a free minute, and planning what we should eat together.  For lunch today, she brought in a hamburger for me and grilled fish for her (I don't really eat seafood) and mixed vegetables and a sweet potato to share.  Lunch was fabulous!  Seriously, she was just about to leave for the day and stopped by my office to confirm that we were prepared for  tomorrow...okay now I AM blubbering a little bit....

Dinner was delicious thanks to my amazing mother.  She offered to cook since Jason and I had an appt. this evening.  She made Paleo friendly spaghetti sauce with loads of veggies.  For non-Paleo eaters, she made regular spaghetti.  For me, she made spaghetti squash and it was so yummy!  Everyone tried it and even my dad thought it was good stuff!  I think maybe next time we will all be eating spaghetti squash!  YAYAY

I have to admit, I am starting to get worried about Paleo Weekend Number 1.  I am working at a special event on Friday and my job assignment involves me assisting at a reception, in particular making sure the catering is set up and looks good.  The caterer for this event is really good...I mean delicious.  I am working again on Saturday...attending a luncheon to honor some of Louisiana's very talented students.  I am not sure if it is a plated lunch or buffet but am hoping for a buffet because I think I would have more options.  Jason and I decided to spend a romantic night in New Orleans after the luncheon.  Now, I don't know if you are from New Orleans or have been there for a vacation, but a romantic night usually involves some drinking - hurricanes, hand grenades, pimms cups just to name a few.  And it would not be a trip to New Orleans without a stop at our favorite restaurant Port of Call.  I think I will be okay with the food part - they do have the best steaks ever - but they also have my favorite drink.  It is a non-frozen Pina Colada and, just thinking about it, makes me weep with happiness.... but it is so not Paleo...not even a little bit.  Sooo....I will do my best to make it through without going overboard.  I read a semi-paleo margarita recipe (in Rob Wolfe's Paleo Solution) that is tequila, the juice of a whole lime, and club soda....perhaps I will try it out!

***A note about my weight....I have tried, honestly tried to type my weight on this blog.  I am sorry, but I just cannot do it.  I can easily talk about having to pee standing up because my muscles hurt so bad or crying in the bathroom because I am afraid my weight makes me a bad mom but I just cannot type my weight.  Sad, isn't it?  I hope that I eventually can.....I certainly won't have a problem how much my weight changes from week-to-week (hopefully for the better :)) Also, I am having blood work done on Wednesday and my Endocrinologist is testing all of the levels that are supposed to be positively effected by Paleo...glucose, cholesterol, etc.......I will keep you posted on how those tests compare to pasts tests and testing at the end of these 30 days.  :)

Day 1 (aka 29 to go!!)

Of course Lucas decided to keep us up from about 3:30am ...but regardless.  I made it through my first official workout at Geaux Crossfit! I arrived a little before 6:00am and was surprised to see so many people there......I would say there were about 8 of us in all.  We started by running (outside) around the building.  I have to admit, this really did scare me.  I knew I would be the last person to make the two laps and when I was just about finished, I just wanted to burst into tears.  I figured this would be the way it was going to be...everyone working out in a team together and me...the fat one....just trying to keep up.  As I turned the last corner though, one of the guys that was working out this morning was there to give me some encouraging words.  He told me it would get easier and I had to stick to it and I was doing a great job and all the right things that gave me the confidence to continue.  It was really amazing - just what I needed!  If I had the energy (which I certainly didn't even though we were still just "warming up") I may have given him a hug. 

So, after that we did some other warming up stretches and push ups before the actual workout began.  The thing with Crossfit is that each workout is different.  You can go on the website the evening before to see what the workout will be.  It pretty much looks like jibber jabber unless you are going to the gym.  For instance, here is today's workout:

Workout of the Day3-3-3 Back Squat
Then
5 Rounds for time:
-10 Push Press (55/75)
-10 Overhead Squat (55/75)
-10 Pull Ups
-20 Double Unders

My workout was modified for my level.  Catherine (the fabulous trainer) did  a really amazing job of making sure that each of us had an individualized workout so we all finished at about the same time and, it looked to me, like we were all equally exhausted and sweaty. 



about 15 minutes after workout
and still bright red.....

 Okay...let me explain what I personally did.  First of all....I can't remember the 3-3-3 back squat because everything right after the run around the building was a blur.  After that, I actually did three rounds of the different exercises while others did five.  It started with me lifting the bar that you put weights on from my shoulders up to over my head.  My bar didn't have any weights but it was weighted....(it felt heavier as the workout progressed).  I did this 10 times and then moved onto my least favorite thing in the world - squats.  This time, I did them leaning on a weighted ball on the wall.  I feel like this helped me a bit with my form.  Then I did 10 jumping pull ups (as in I don't have the strength to lift myself up so I jump up).  That was followed by jump roping 25 times.  I did this routine three times.  Okay, this is embarrassing but I am so very, very excited about being able to jump rope.  Who knew?  I told Katherine that I didn't think I could and she convinced me to try.  AND. I. DID. IT.  YAYAAY!

Including the warm up, it took me about an hour to complete this work out.  At the end I was exhausted, and sweaty, and red-faced, and could barely walk...but it was fabulous!  I am so excited!  This kind of workout can't possibly get boring.  The other people in the class were incredibly supportive with one another.  I really am excited to go back.  As the day has progressed (my workout started at 6am) I am getting a little more stiff. I  am not sure if I will be able to go to the gym tomorrow but (and I am not lying here) I hope I can!!

So, on to diet.  I didn't eat before I worked out.  I know that some people say that is an absolute no no but it works for me.  I literally sleep in my workout clothes.  I get up, throw on a sports bra, brush my teeth and hit the road.  Right after I worked out, I ate a hard boiled egg.  I got to work about 1.5 hours later and was feeling pretty hungry.  I had two hard boiled eggs, 1/2 cup of strawberries/blueberries and 1/4 cup of chopped pecans and cashews.  And I am doing my best to be strict with my diet and all but I am not willing to give up my coffee in the morning with fat free french vanilla creamer.....I just cannot do it!

So, that lasted me until about lunch time.  I did eat a few sunflower seeds between the two meals but not many.  For lunch I had a salad (lettuce tossed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil) with raw carrots and celery and grilled peppers and onions.  For a protein I had chicken that I cooked last night with some cumin. I also added a little salsa and guacamole.... It was good and filling.  I do not love chicken and cannot eat it everyday but I do love grilled onions and peppers so that made it a yummy meal.

The hardest time for me today was from 1:45pm until about 3:30pm.  That is the usual time for me to snack.  I tried to eat some celery and carrots in hopes that would help but it didn't.  I had some almonds and a coworker shared her sparkling water with me...but I really just had to work through it...
For dinner I had corned beef, cabbage, carrots and onions.  My parents were out of town for St. Patrick's Day so we are celebrating a little late....I did not have any boiled potatoes or Irish soda bread or butter....sob... :)

In all, I would say Day 1 was a success.  I would not have been able to make it through Day 1 without so many incredibly supportive people around me..: Catherine, guy at the gym in the yellow shirt, lovely coworkers that have changed the lunchroom conversation into what we want to eat to what we are going to eat based on our diets :), and my fabulous family.

When I got home from the gym, Abby pretty much summed my day up: she started laughing hysterically and said "mama you have a ponytail (I never wear a ponytail) and you are purple and shiny (sweaty).

Today was tough, I am not going to lie.  I am already sick of grilled chicken and salad...I am just not a huge fan of chicken.  I think I have to focus on making the foods I love fit into the diet instead of trying to eat food I wouldn't normally eat....  I am tired and achy and want a brownie.  I am tired and hope the kids will go to bed on time in their own beds without a fight....

BUT Day 1 is done!

Woo hoo!