June 1 is a Good Day

June 1 seems like a good day to start another 30 day challenge. The past two challenges I've tried have not been successful- I've mostly stuck to the plan- but I've let little things slide in like drinking milk, eating processed salad dressings, and such. I've been so busy studying for boards I've let some things slide. But that's over- and I passed!

So today- June 1st starts a true Whole 30 Challenge- no cheats at all. Also, this past weekend, my husband and I put in our garden. I'm super excited- it's the biggest garden we've had yet (about 150 sq ft). We've planted zucchini, cukes, tomatoes, about 5 different types of peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, watermelon, cabbage, and kale. I have somewhat of a brown thumb- but hopefully this time it will stick! It feels great to get on the road to self sufficiency. Now we have chickens regularly laying eggs, and a nice big garden. Next year we want to add beehives, and within the next 5 years I'd like to have a dairy goat (or two)! It's a slow project- but I want to make sure I can master it one step at a time. Pictures of the garden to come!

Graduated from Nursing School- getting "strict" again!

I completed the hardest two years of my life and graduated from nursing school. I'm excited to be a "grown up" now! With that said, there has been a lot of celebrating and eating non primal foods the past couple of weeks- and I have definitely felt the effects! It's amazing that I used to be able and easily eat a bowl of ice cream and a couple of hot dogs and not feel a thing. Now my stomach definitely is NOT happy when I do that. I had a cookout and stayed up with heart burn and stomach cramps at night. Now that all of that stuff is done- I have decided to complete another 30 day challenge! I need to get myself back on track!

This 30 day challenge includes:

No dairy (except butter)

No sugars/grains

No high glycemic foods (I have a weakness for bananas!)

Daily scripture study

Daily piano practice

Running outdoors at least once a week

Hopefully this will help me get going in the right direction again! I also wanted to link over to Primal Toad's "Primal Cave Friday". He has a great blog - http://www.primaltoad.com/primal-cave-friday-2/#comment-10775 .

Have a great weekend! While I will not be putting up daily posts of what I eat- I will try to at least do every 3 days or so - I want to be accountable for what I put into my body!

One year today!

Today is a special day for me- I have been primal for one year! It's been one of the best years of my life and I really look forward to continued progress and health. I've lost almost 70 pounds, lowered my cholesterol and triglycerides, and actually ENJOY exercise! I am SO grateful that I was introduced to this way of life. I was feeling pretty hopeless- but now I feel like I can do anything! I hope this year brings about another 25 pounds of weight loss and continued strength and wellness. :) If any of you have doubts as to whether this can work for you- it CAN! Just stick to the plan and you will see amazing results in your health.

You can learn more about primal blueprint at the website marksdailyapple.com .

Last March:

Last week:

Birthdays are hard!

I celebrated my birthday a few days ago, and I REALLY indulged in some not so healthy treats. My grandmother knows that my favorite meal are her homemade biscuits with tomato gravy and for dessert- blackberry sauce over the same biscuits. I ate a TON of them. I also indulged in quite a bit of Ben and Jerry's oatmeal cookie ice cream. While I was enjoying all of the food at the time, afterwards, I was HURTING!

I've never really had a problem eating high carb foods, but since my body is longer used to all of the sugar, I had a REALLY bad stomach ache and couldn't sleep all night.

I definitely enjoyed my birthday dinner- but next time I'll eat a quarter as much!

Whole 30- THE RESULTS

Well, I finished my Whole 30 challenge. It wasn't too bad. The main thing I learned is that dairy is my downfall! I eat far too much dairy. So now that I'm back on a "normal" primal diet, I'm going to make sure I eat way less of it.

So total- I lost 10.5 pounds. That's a lot of weight loss for 30 days!

I also went down at least a pant size- maybe two. I haven't been shopping yet- so I'm not sure.

As a reminder- here is a picture of me from last March (the week before I went primal and 65 pounds heavier).

Now here is a picture of me from right before my "Whole 30" challenge.

BEFORE:

Here I am in the exact same clothes after my "Whole 30" challenge. Now I have to wear a belt!

AFTER:

Whole 30 Food Journal- Days 24-29

Again- I let my recordings slip. I've definitely been sticking to the plan- except for today- Valentine's Day.

I couldn't help myself and indulged in a sugar cookie. I know- bad me!

But I did go to lunch with my husband to IHOP (where we had our first date almost 9 years ago!) and enjoyed a T-bone steak and 3 eggs over easy. SUPER filling and super yummy.

I guess my 30 days are up on Wednesday. I'm not going to post any more food journals- but on Wednesday I will post my results after I weigh myself.

I'm pretty excited to see how this past 30 days has effected me!

Whole 30 Food Journal- Days 16-23

I am so so bad! I keep forgetting to put up my food for the day!

I've been strictly staying on the Whole 30 (even when surrounded by sopapillas- my favorite).

Days 16-21 - Don't remember! But I definitely stuck to it- and I'm almost to the end! I think the only thing I've really missed is heavy cream in my herbal tea. I tried coconut milk- but it's just not the same.

Day 22

Breakfast: skipped

Lunch: 2 eggs

Snacks: a fresh pineapple/coconut milk/banana smoothie. Definitely higher on the carb side- but it was SOOOO yummy.

Supper: Taco salad (seasoned ground beef, spring greens, banana peppers, hot sauce, and sauteed onions)

Day 23

Breakfast: skipped- was running late for class

Lunch: 2 eggs (I think I have 2 eggs for lunch almost every day!)

Snack: a handful of prunes, some freshly cut pineapple, a few pork rinds

Supper: Primal BBQ chicken (recipe from Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint cookbook) with a side of asparagus (w/olive oil and a squeeze of lemon).