On a Mission: 90/10 paleo

Week 1 & 2
I made it through the first week, although I wasn't 100% paleo.  I had my two servings of brown rice, which I was going to allow myself each week.  During the week, seemed to be easier than the weekend.  I'd pick up soup, or a smoothie or chicken and veggies over brown rice for lunch and I had my homemade paleo crunch or banana chips to munch on.  For date night, Chivo and I went to a Brazilian steakhouse, and I kept it mostly paleo, although I had to allow myself one of those little cheesy biscuits they put on the table.  I don't know what's in them, but it's delicious!  I think my boyfriend does much better on paleo than me, although he did have some funky cravings over the weekend - smores and siracha Cheetos (i think).   I didn't have coffee or soda all last week or over the weekend. Proud of myself.  :)  I am still drinking crystal light which Chivo thinks I shouldn't be drinking.  I should probably look at the ingredients and then maybe I won't want to drink it.  It just really helps me drink more water.  I guess I could try natural flavoring like lemon, cucumber or mint?

Over the weekend, I tried to keep it mostly paleo but I ended up making myself a quesadilla....fajita size flour tortilla, siracha sauce and Cheddar cheese on Saturday.  On Sunday, I went to a BBQ and had a hot dog...with the bun and a few tortilla chips with some queso blanco.  I tried not to go nuts though.  I brought plantain chips and salsa along with me so I wouldn't pig out on chips and it really helped.  I also let everyone try the paleo crunch and they all loved it.

Exercise
It was kinda hard to get back into exercising since I feel like I've been out of it for a little while with school stuff, and vacation.  I haven't made it into the gym yet to do weights but I've started walking at the park. 
I love going to the park with my dog and music or audio book.  The park has 3 mile loop with lots of runners and walkers.  Sometimes I meet my friend Stella out there so we can walk and talk.

Results
I've lost 4.5 lbs so far in the past 11 days, which makes me super happy!
I want to exercise more, and I'm sure I'll be back doing weights soon.  My goal is to run a 5k in 3 months.
I think eating 90% is what works for me.  If I really want something that's not paleo, I'll eat of few bites of it and that satisfies my craving.  I want this lifestyle to stick so 90/10 works better for me.  I've also been trying to think of food differently - Food is fuel.

Goals
My short term goal is to lose a total of 10 lbs by June 14th.  I'm already 4.5 down, but now I'm at the weight I seem to plateau, just gotta push hard to get past it!
My long term goals feel better about myself, get fit, look good, run a 5k by the end of September.

I just need to stay consistent.  I've got this!

Back on the Paleo bandwagon

So the Spring semester is over, I'm no longer an Enactus officer and I ate about a years worth of junk food on my vacation in the Smokies last week.  I feel like crap, super tired and a little too curvy at the moment.  It's time to get it right, get it tight!!  This chick is on a mission.  No more excuses, I just need to focus on willpower, focus on food as fuel and get back to eating right and working out.

I turn 30 (gasp!) in 3 weeks, my friend's bachelorette weekend at the river is in 3.5 weeks and I'm no where near ready to be in a bathing suit.  :/  I obviously don't expect to be bathing suit ready in 3 weeks but I plan on being in somewhat better shape by then.  My friend is getting married the last weekend in September and I want to be in MUCH better shape by then.  That's 4 months away and if I stayed focused, I can get into the shape I wanna be in.

I know there are other diets to lose weight and get in shape but I felt the best after following paleo before.  I just need to stick with it and meal plan.  It gets harder when you get busy and are on the go. 

I made myself and Chivo paleo granola last night.  It's really good and a great pick me up snack.  It doesn't have any grains.  It's made with nuts, seeds, coconut oil, shredded coconut and cinnamon.  Here's a link to the recipe that I used: Amee's Savory Dish: Paleo Cinnamon Crunch "Granola"  I used 3 TBS cinnamon, adjusted the different types of nuts/seeds to what I had or could find and I didn't use almond meal.

My Plan (A goal without a plan is just a wish)
FOOD:

*Strict paleo, but allowing brown rice once or twice a week for 3 weeks (until my birthday - I plan on eating some bday macaroons!).  It's nice that my boyfriend, Chivo, is into eating paleo and doing crossfit.  It makes it easier for me to stick with it and the support is nice.

*After my birthday, continue to eat paleo but allow 2 cheat meals a week and brown rice if I have an intense workout later in the day.  The cheat meals must be planned. 

EXERCISE:
*Weights - follow the plan from Jennifer Nicole Lee's Fitness Model book.  A full body workout each week.

*C25K - Couch to 5K app for the iphone.  Must follow this app, at least 3 times a week, whether is on the treadmill or at the park.


Today is Day 1.  It's going well so far.  Had a slight headache since I cut out my sugary sweet lattes and soda.

What is the paleo diet?

Here is my before pic from May 15th, 2013.  :/

3 week of mostly Paleo

3/6/2013
So it's been about 3 weeks since I've started eating mostly paleo - I still have those 2 cheat meals a week.  In general, I feel happier and leaner, although I haven't lost much weight yet, perhaps I need to cut back on the dried and fresh fruit.  I have noticed that I'm eating less at each sitting and on cheat meals, I'm getting full very fast.  Chivo seems to think I'm not really doing well on Paleo but I think I'm doing better than he thinks.  I really do stick to mostly paleo stuff and if I do cheat, it may be something minor or just a bite of something non-paleo.

I still haven't been able to let go of my sugary lattes, which I know is so not paleo and I think it drives Chivo a little insane.  He gives me these looks and tells me how much sugar is in them.....but I can't helpful, they are sooo good.  I think I have a problem.  I'll admit, I'm addicted.  Do they have a Lattes Anonymous?  I should probably join.  haha.  But for real, I really should cut back on these sugary lattes.  Most of the time I get them iced.  I could always try an iced coffee and just add honey or stevia to it.  It just doesn't seem the same, but I'm sure my taste buds will adapt once I start eating less sugary foods.  I've always had a major sweet tooth.  I can stay away from candy and cake because I swap it for fruit and still get my sweet fix.   

3/11/2013
I didn't have any iced lattes or coffees over the weekend, and I survived!!  No headaches, nothing.  Pretty happy with myself.  :)  I did order a small iced coffee this morning, but only took a few sips out of it and threw it out.  Maybe I really don't need these lattes, maybe it's just a habit??

Chivo loves cinnamon rolls and we saw a recipe for a Paleo Cinnamon Rolls so we just had to make them.  We used a recipe from the Cavery, Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Rolls.  I think Pumpkin Butter is out of season, as we couldn't find any at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods so we used apple butter instead.  We did find everything else in the recipe though.  I had to add a lot more almond milk to the batch than the recipe called for, to make it runny as the recipe stated. While it was easy to make, it didn't taste anything like a cinnamon roll.  So Chivo and I are going to continue testing paleo cinnamon roll recipes until we find some pretty close to the real thing.  I'm confident that it can happen, not so sure that Chivo is so confident though.  Atleast with this past recipe, I found a great way to make Paleo Crepes.  I love crepes!

Clean Eating VS Paleo

I've been toying with the idea of Clean Eating instead of Paleo.  Chivo is happy with the Paleo Diet, but I wouldn't mind including legumes and whole grains into my diet.  Although recently, I've noticed that after eating beans like kidney or black beans, or white potatoes, I've felt miserable.  Like bloated, extremely full and just plain uncomfortable.  I would just need more information about it, see how they make me feel and if I can still lose weight while eating clean vs paleo.  I like the fact that clean eating isn't quite as strict as paleo.  Of course, this will have to wait until after Lent since I've already decided to stick with Paleo.

The information below (word for word) is from this blog Clean Eating Vs Paleo

Clean Eating vs "The Paleo Diet"

Yesterday in conversation, someone asked me the difference between Clean Eating and "The Paleo Diet" ( wherein you mimic the eating habits of our earliest ancestors who yes, did not eat Pop*Tarts ) I think its an important distinction, and one worth investigating.

Clean Eating: The removal of all processed foods from your diet. If it grew on a bush or tree, or walked/swam the Earth - you can eat it. Clean Eaters do not drink alcohol, and use things like salt and food preservatives very sparingly if at all. Water consumption and 5-6 meals a day are promoted. Many Clean Eaters adhere to a "if it has a barcode, I'm suspicious of it" feeling on food..

Clean Eating Food Pyramid ( Thanks again, Tiffany! )

Paleo Diet: Eating those foods that were only accessible to our most primitive ancestors - meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries. No alcohol, salt, oils, beans, or grains. Foods that were only developed in the last 1,000 years ( dairy products, for example ) are not consumed.

Paleo Food Pyramid:


Major differences: Clean Eaters will eat organic, whole wheat pastas and grains, organic dairy products and oils ( in moderation )

Paleo eaters will not. eat the above.

Paleo : They do not eat foods we eat now that would not have been around 100,000 years ago - like milk form a dairy cow. They do not eat grains, as grains were cultivated by humans only in the past 12,000 years, approximately.

I find Paleo interesting because behind it seems some facts that are hard to argue: Modern man has bent agriculture to suit his will, and the result is non-nutritious food are bodies can't digest very well ( processed foods ). Clean Eaters maintain that foods that are as minimally processed are preferable, and food is a good thing as long as it is nourishes the body with as little chemicals and preservatives as possible.

Neither "camp" is right in this instance. I personally find the Paleo Diet too limiting, I'd really prefer to have dairy and grains in my diet as well - in limited quantities, of course. The main difference, I believe, are the inclusion of "clean" dairy and grain elements in CE, and the exclusion in Paleo.

There are many crossover recipes from Paleo which are well suited to the Clean Eater - and I encourage you to look out for Paleo recipes which would be great for the Clean Eater - and vice versa!

Inspired to get back on Paleo

What did you give up for lent?  I decided to challenge myself to be healthier and get back on paleo.  My goal is to eat mostly paleo, allowing myself 2 cheat meals a week. 

My boyfriend, Chivo, inspired me to get back on paleo.  He's been very good about eating mostly paleo foods, even when I was eating whatever I wanted.  He said he really feels a difference since he's been on paleo.  He doesn't need naps like he use to, and his body is looking more defined - which I am totally loving!  I think his love for Crossfit is what originally inspired him to start paleo because he'd hear about it at the box from the people he'd work out with and from articles that he'd read online.  He really is turning into a fine tuned machine!  He just got his L1 Crossfit Certification, which taught him even more about nutrition and his Crossfit form.  I must say that it really inspires me to do better for myself.  I want to get in better shape.  I'm not too worried about being tiny, I just want to be toned and healthy.  We are going to the Smokies in May and I gotta get in better shape so I can keep up with Chivo and all the hiking he has planned for us!  Chivo has been showing me some Crossfit moves and he's challenged me to do 25 push-ups and 25 air squats a day.  I've done so so on this challenge so far.  I gotta step it up!  The squats aren't so bad, but the push-ups are murder!!  My arms are weaklings.

So I've been back on paleo for almost 2 weeks now.  I've done pretty well about eating mostly paleo, although I think I have cheated a little more than 2 times a week.  It's hard to not having any grains, legumes, corn, etc!  Monday's and Wednesday's are my most difficult because I go straight from work to school at lunchtime and the campus eateries aren't really all that paleo friendly.  They have lots of sandwich shops.  So most of the time, I'll have a Core Power protein shake.  I know it's not 100% paleo but I think it's better than eating a sandwich and chips. 

I do much better when I plan ahead and bring plenty of paleo friendly munchies with me.  And let me tell you, Trader Joe's is my new best friend.  I think we go there at least once week.  That place is amazing!  Organic, healthy and affordable.  You can find dried fruit that has no added preservatives or sugar.  Lots of fresh veggies and fruit.  A nice variety of meats, and delicious bacon chunks. 

I like the way I feel on paleo.  I ran a 5K this past weekend and I ran more than I have before.  I feel like I have more energy, I'm happier, I feel leaner and better about myself.  When I say happier, I'm serious!  I've noticed that things are making me laugh more.  That kind of laugh that is contagious and makes your eyes tear up.  I've noticed that during cheat meals, I get full very fast when I eat grains and then I feel kinda miserable afterwards - bloated, and that Thanksgiving-full feeling.  That feeling makes it easier to stick to paleo.  I'm working on getting better!  Did I mention that I've lost 5 lbs in the last 3 weeks??  I started a C25K program and paleo.  I'm really enjoying my results so far.

I really like the way my life is going right now.  I got a promotion at work to Sr. Civil Designer.  I'm following through with my goal to run a 5K without stopping - using the C25K program.  I'm Vice President of Enactus University of Houston and I'm in charge of planning and organizing a 5K.  I have a great boyfriend, I'm getting into shape and we have a vacation planned to go to the Smoky Mountains!

 

Run for Recess 5K - which benefits James D. Ryan Middle School's music progam.  I've found some great sponsors so far - Wal-mart, Fleet Feet and Core Power.  For more info on the 5K, click here.  Or Register for the run on active.com.  I really enjoy being in Enactus, but next semester I don't think I'm going to be an officer so I can focus more on Enactus projects and my working out. 

Whole Body Workout

So I found a whole body workout online, and tweaked it to fit my needs.  Stella and I tried out last night at Memorial Park, and I'm feeling it today!  My abs, back, and lower half are sore.  My arms aren't as sore.  We only went through the set once because I was starving and seriously couldn't make it through 3 times without any food.

Here is the workout that we did.

 

After Stella and I got some dinner, we headed back to the park and walked 3 miles.  It was chilly outside but we warmed up pretty quickly.  I'm not sure how some people were out there in shorts and t-shirts though.

 

We must repeat this workout.  I'd like to do it atleast 2 to 3 times a week. 

Weight Watchers VS Paleo Challenge

So challenging myself to exercise and be on a strict diet for 30 days was a big fail!  With my schedule, planning is a must and I failed to do that, therefore I totally failed my own challenge.

So my friend, Stella George, decided that after researching the benefits of the paleo diet, she wanted to do the Whole30 challenge and asked me to do it with her.  I said no to the Whole30 challenge, but that I'd do the Paleolithic Diet.  Well let's just say, she didn't make it through Day 1.  She decided that Whole30/paleo wasn't for her and that she would just stick to Weight Watchers because it worked for her before and she didn't have to give up her beloved grains.

Thursday morning, Stella sent me a text, challenging me to a Weight Watchers VS Paleo duel!  Okay, now this is what I'm talking about.  I can do this.  I am 9 lbs down from my post-Awesome Adventure road trip weight.  Which is amazing!  My friends have noticed the weight loss.  :)  Anyway, I accepted Stella's challenge!  I believe that Paleo is a healthier lifestyle than Weight Watchers because while you are on the paleo diet, you are eating nutritional food - meats, veggies, fruits, and nuts, and on Weight Watchers (WW), you can eat anything you want as long as you stay within your points for the day/week.  I don't see how WW will help you achieve a healthier lifestyle.  Yes, you may lose weight on WW but what happens after you lose the weight?  You were able to eat anything you wanted while on WW but following their point system.  After you lose the weight, you are still craving/addicted to foods that don't have much of a nutritional value and without your point system, will you mindlessly eat these bad foods and gain all of your weight back?  Will being on Weight Watchers become a lifestyle for you?  I tried WW before and it worked for about a month and then I hit a weight plateau.  I stopped subscribing to WW, only to gain back all that I had lost.  No bueno.  I'm by no means huge but I'm not skinny mini either.  I'm curvy....which I like, but maybe a more toned version of that.  I would love to get into amazing shape, like Jennifer Nicole Lee, bikini fitness model shape.  That is my goal.  I believe that following the paleo lifestyle, will help me achieve my goals.  On paleo, you aren't allowed the bad foods, which yes at times can be hard but allowing yourself one cheat item a week/month won't kill your diet.  And after a while, you will feel so good - mentally and physically - that you won't care about those 'bad' foods as much anymore.  Oh and did I mention that you just eat when you are hungry, no counting calories or points??  Sounds nice, right?  You will lose the cravings and addictions to the bad foods and lead an all around healthier lifestyle.  This sounds way better than WW to me.  I have seen that some people try to do WW while on Paleo.  Interesting concept, but I don't think it's for me.  I hated having to count points and I'm not even sure if I counted them correctly half the time anyway.

Stella, I accept your challenge. 

WW(Stella) VS Paleo (Petunia) guidelines -
Follow your assigned diet/lifestyle.
Weigh in each Friday morning and send your challenger a picture of the weigh in.
Winner for each week: whoever loses the most percentage body fat for the week.
Our goal: lose 5% body fat.  Whose diet will get them there?

So does the winner get something?  I'll have to discuss this with Stella.

Stella August 2012

Pictures of us at our starting weight.

Want to see comparisons for WW vs Paleo?  Check out this link



Petunia October 2012