8/31 Primal day 16/Whole 30 day 3

I am so happy that today is Friday!  It was one hectic week.  It use to be fun working for a food broker - not anymore.  Stressful stressful stressful!!! 

Last nights dinner was absolutely awesome!  Seasoned tilapia, baked chicken breast tenders, asparagus and boiled beets (fresh from my garden)!  YUM YUM

This pic looks very dark and does not do it justice.

I have to keep it short today because I will be heading out soon for my noon session of Curves Circuit + Zumba!  Time to burn more calories!!  :)  This puts me in my happy place.

8/30 Primal day 15

I have decided to take the Whole 30 challenge - it's basically everything that I'm doing already except now I need to cut out dairy.  I don't think that will be an issue for me since I pretty much cut out my yogurt last week and I haven't wasted away - LOL.

Here is a very good website to reference regarding the Whole 30 - http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/.  I actually started this yesterday so that would make today day 2.  Almond milk is not dairy so I can still mix 1/4 c with my bulletproof coffee.  My weigh in for today is 140.6.

The only major obstacles that I see is that we are having September birthdays this Sunday and I am bringing fresh fruit and ince cream.  I will just have to avoid the cake and ice cream and just eat the fruit.  Also, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes come out September 4....UGH!  I.ABSOLUTELY.LOVE.THESE!  I guess the wait will make it worth it even more  :)

8/29 Primal day 14

Two weeks in and still going good.  I actually attended a working luncheon yesterday at First Watch and was able to eat Primal.  I ordered a salad that came with a gorgeous looking hunk of bread but I gave mine to my coworker.  Felt good having the will power to stick with this  :)

I am having a stressful day here at work and am hungry but also know that I am feeling hungry due to my stress level.  My plan is to drink some more water and my Teavana tea and will eat my snack (salmon patty) prior to my workout (Curves Circuit + Zumba at noon).

Today is also Weigh In Wednesday and this morning's reading showed 142.6 = down 0.4 LB.  Was hoping for a better loss, but a loss is a loss and I will take it.

Activity Plan 8/27-9/2/12

Monday - Curves, #BestBodyBootcamp and walk
Tuesday - Curves, #BestBodyBootcamp
Wednesday - Curves + Zumba, #BestBodyBootcamp and walk
Thursday - #BestBodyBootcamp and walk
Friday - Curves + Zumba, #BestBodyBootcamp
Saturday - #BestBodyBootcamp and walk
Sunday - Rest but take a relaxing walk after church :)

8/27 Primal day 12

I am 12 days in on my "Primal Eating" and working towards turning this into a day of life and not counting off each day.  I am still grain free and still trying to lower my carb intake by limiting my yogurt intake.  I started drinking bulletprook coffee on Saturday morning and was surprised that it didn't upset my tummy.  I started off with 12 ounces coffee, 2 TBS unsalted butter and 1 TBS coconut oil.  It was a bit too rich for my taste so I made a little revision on Sunday, 12 ounces coffee, 1 TBS unsalted butter, 1 1/2 TBS coconut oil and 1/2 c almond milk....that was much better.  Surprisingly - this help my hunger off until I got home from church on Sunday.  I had it again this morning at 5:20 AM and didn't feel the need for a snack until 10:15 AM which consisted of 12 almonds.  This is a work in progress......

8/24 Primal day 9

All is still going well, still grain free!!  :)  Although I think I did experience a little of the dreaded "carb flu".  Not sure what it was, just wasn't feeling like myself.  That's what I get for thinking that I was still consuming too many carbs and decided to cut out my beloved yogurt!  Mistake on my part.  Although yogurt is still good for us, great for the digestion (which I need all the help that I can get) it still has 22g carbs for 4 OZ - man - that's a lot!  So after feeling like crappola, I bought some plain Greek yogurt and will have it on hand and it only has 8g carbs for 4 OZ. 
I am also going to experiment this weekend and make me some bulletproof coffee - so, we'll see how it turns out.  Wish me luck!   here's the recipe that I'm going to use and the reasoning behind it:

http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-make-your-coffee-bulletproof-and-your-morning-too/

So I buy the best coffee there is, brew it, and then I blend unsalted grass-fed butter into it. Yes, butter. All the benefits of healthy milk fat with none of the damaging denatured casein proteins found in cream. It makes for the creamiest, most satisfying cup of coffee you’ve ever had. It will keep you satisfied with level energy for 6 hours if you need it. And because I’m having it for breakfast, I’m programming my body to burn fat for energy all day long!

Recipe
•Start with 500 ml (2 mugs) of black coffee brewed with mold-free beans (important)
•Add 2 Tbs (or more, I prefer 80 grams, about 2/3 of a standard stick of butter) of Kerry Gold or other UNSALTED grass-fed butter
•Add 30 grams of MCT oil for max energy, weight loss and brain function (optional if you have none)
•Blend with a pre-heated hand blender, Magic Bullet, or (best) counter top blender until there is a creamy head of foam

**MCT oil is coconut oil

We'll see how my oh-so-sensitive-stomach likes this :)

Here's to another awesome day!!

8/22 Primal day 7

Whew!  I have made it a whole week eating the "Primal Way"!  It has basically been an easy week, I did have some cravings for oatmeal but that's it.  It's also WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY and the good news of the day is that I am down to 143.0!  That's a 2 LB loss since I started this blog and 1.4 loss since last week on the Primal start date.  I think that I may be on to something.  Of course, all of the activity is helping tons too!  :)

My plan for today is:
Breakfast:  Coffee + 1/2 c unswt almond milk, 2 poached eggs with 6 asparagus spears and I do have 1/2 c boiled sliced beets just waiting if I feel like eating them.  I am satisfied at the moment though.
AM Snack:  12 uns almonds and 4 oz probiotic yogurt
Lunch:  Tuna salad (tuna, mayo and diced tomatoes with chilies), 1/2 c collard green, 1/2 c blueberries
PM Snack:  12 uns almonds and low fat string cheese
Supper:  That's up in the air because I am heading for grocery shopping right after work

Activity plan for today is:
Curves Circuit + Zumba at noon
#BestBodyBootcamp
walking if time permits

If I have too many calores left over after supper, then I will have an espresso + 1/2 c whole milk while cooking.

Here's to another GREAT day.  It's HUMP DAY after all - half way through my work week!!

8/21 Primal day 6

All is still going well here.  I actually craved a piece of toast last night - I won and didn't toast me a piece of bread...Yea!

My tummy continues to feel better and not all bloated.  Still not sure if this is due to a gluten allergy or not but at this point, I am not willing to try it and see.

My plan for today is as follows:
Breakfast:  Citrucel, Coffee + 1/2 unswt almond milk (unswt = unsweetened), 2 poached eggs with 1/2 c boiled beets and 1 mini babybel cheese
AM Snack:  12 uns almonds (uns - unsalted) and low fat string cheese
Lunch:  85% **beef hamburger patty (cooked at home), 1 c raw zucchini and 1 c roma tomatoes and 1/2 c blueberries
PM Snack:  12 uns almonds and 4 oz probiotic yogurt vanilla
Supper:  Citrucel, tilapia and asparagus spears

If I have too many calories left over then I will have an espresso with 1 c whole milk while I am cooking supper.

My activity plan for tonight is Curves Circuit right after work, #BestBodyBootcamp right after I get home and a walk if time permits after supper.

Here's to another great day!


**BEEF - FRESH FROM OUR FARM

8/20 Primal day 5

All is going well and I am keeping to plan.  Not only am I improving my eating habits (and feel much better I might add) but I am also keeping to my workout plans.  Between Curves Circuit, #BestBodyBootcamp (which has been awesome and is kicking my butt in a good way of course) and I have also started my walking regime again.  I am trying to run but my bladder isn't cooperating and I am not going to stress over it any longer.  So what if I can't run?!?!  When I stepped on the scale yesterday morning, it showed 142.2 - we'll see what it shows on Wednesday on if that was just a fluke.

My plan for today is as follows:
Breakfast:  Coffee (CAN'T FORGET THIS) + 1/2 c almond milk with 2 poached eggs and 1 c green beans and 1 mini babybel cheese
AM Snack:  15 unsalted almonds and low fat string cheese
Lunch:  3 oz chuck roast (leftovers) and 1 boiled eggg with 1 c raw spinach + 1 tsp olive oil with 1 c green beans and 1/2 c blueberries
PM Snack:  15 unsalted almonds and 6 oz plain greek yogurt (fuel for workout)

Activity:
Curves Circuit right after work
#BestBodyBootcamp
walking if time permits

Here's to another great day

Until tomorrow......

8/18 Primal day 3

All is well here. I made it through day 2 and am having an awesome start to day 3.

Had a little hiccup yesterday while at work and was unable to go to Curves Circuit with Zumba, was too busy to leave work. Had to settle for a 29 minute walk which was better than nothing. I already got my walk in today (2.65 miles) and am getting ready for Saturday cleaning...more calories to burn!! I am not going to have a set menu for the weekend but plan to keep it primal. I can tell you that in these last 3 days the bloating has gone down and I feel better. It's kind of early to tell if I have a gluten intolerance but it seems like that might be the issue.

Need to finish my 2 poached eggs with 1 c green beans and expresso with 1-4 c almond milk..yum yum

Here's to another great day :)

8/17 Primal day 2

I made it successfully through day 1 - in spite of having a horrible expensive day (I'll explain a little later) but I made it through yesterday's plan with flying colors.  I know that it was only day 1 but the only thing that I really missed was my morning oatmeal.  I never had the sweet instant stuff - just plain 1/2 c old fashioned oats cooked in 1 c water but it was more or less comfort food and frankly... I FREAKING LOVE OATMEAL!  

Here's my plan for today:
Breakfast:  Coffee with 1/2 c almond milk, 2 poached eggs with 2 small Roma tomatoes and broccoli.  Can't forget the Citrucel.
AM Snack:  1/2 c plain Fage' Greek yogurt (left my almonds at home)   :(
Lunch:  4 oz Top Sirloin steak (leftover from last night), 1 c broccoli, 1 c raw spinach with 1 tsp olive oil and 1/2 c raspberries
PM Snack:  low fat string cheese
Supper:  Chuck roast that is cooking in the crock pot all day :) 1 c green beans and maybe 1/2 c baked sweet potatoes.  Can't forget the Citrucel before bed.

I will do Curves Circuit + Zumba at noon today on my lunch break and may try to get a walk in before I go to a meeting today.

Anyway - back to yesterday's disaster!  When I was trying to leave for work - my car wouldn't start - battery completely dead.  Hubby & son gave me a jump start and I did make it to work.  Car proceeded to die again and I was able to get a jump start and then headed to auto parts store and spent $110.00 on a new battery.  Then off to the eye appointment and was told that - you are now 43 and in need of bifocals!  Lovely!  Wearing contacts and glasses isn't enough - BIFOCALS NOW?!?!  Oh well - I can't I can't stop the aging process.  $330.00 dropped for new glasses!  Contacts will have to wait, luckily I still wear hard lenses and can get by with my current pair. 

I'm still reading Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst and after my day yesterday I found this quote very comforting, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day", Lysa Terkuerst.  I am almost finished with this book and I have gotten so much inspiration and guidance from it.

Here's to another GREAT day!

8/16 Primal day 1

Today is my first day eating Primal, so we will see how it goes.  I did weigh in this morning so that I can have a starting base - 144.4.

I tried to plan ahead last night and mentally prepare myself.

Breakfast - Coffee w/1/2 c almond milk, 2 eggs poached with 2 small roma tomatoes & 6 asparagus spears.
AM Snack - 10 almonds and 6 oz greek yogurt
Lunch - 4 oz baked chicken tenders (with yellow mustard and Frank's Hot Sauce on top), 1 c spinach leaves with 1 tsp olive oil plus a drizzle red wine vinegar, 1 c broccoli florets and 1/2 c raspberries.
PM Snack - 10 almonds and lowfat string cheese.
Supper - I have set out Top Sirloin Steaks and I will fix a veggie for the side.

I also will still continue to take Citrucel twice daily.

Hopefully this is the change that my body needs. 

I tried running again the other night and my bladder just can't take it, even taking to meds for overactive bladder aren't helping like it should.  So, I am just going to pick back up on my walking and maybe once I drop some weight then I can try running and see if I can tell a diference.  I walked 1.78 miles last night back through the pasture.  That doesn't sound like much but it is a work out.  I always feel so much better after walking anyway.  I plan on walking again tonight.

8/15

I love Wednesdays!  It's hump day!  I've made it half way though my work week.  Today is also Weigh in Wednesday.....UGH!  This morning's weigh in kind of put a damper on my mood - 145.6...WTH!  Seriously - what the heck?!?!  A gain?  After all of the working out and tracking all of my food?!?!  I think that I am putting too much of an emphasis on these weigh ins but what is a girl to do?

I have been researching the Primal Eating Plan.  It basically cuts out carbs, grains - etc.  I am starting to wonder if I might have a gluten issue.  I have noticed that the more grains that I eat, the more bloated that I am and also seem to have a constipation issue.  Not sure how that can be since I drink fiber twice daily and eat tons of veggies (mainly raw veggies) and usually 1 to 2 fresh fruits daily.  I usually drink 10 glasses of water per day and I am down to 1-2 cups of coffee and then hot tea after that.  I can't pass up on my Teavana.  It is an addiction now.  I do treat myself to Starbucks on Friday afternoon, always get nonfat milk and only 2 pumps if I get any syrup.

We'll see - I'm going to do some more research and see of this is a fit for me.

8/14

I have been reading a new book these last few days and absolutely LOVE IT!  Unglued  by Lysa Terkeurst.  I am a huge fan of her books because she is so down to earth.  I can read the book and it's all there - I'm not alone.  Maybe I am a weirdo - but I can sit in a room full of women from church and feel so out of place - so alone.  I'm not a stay at home mom nor a home schooler - I work 40 hours a week AWAY from home and try to manage my house work in the spare time (I know, that's a joke - what spare time).  I am not the most organized and all of these things add up for me and make me feel inferior.  I know, I know - they shouldn't but they do.  This book has really touched my heart.  My copy looks like a young child got a hold of a highlighter and went to town.  I am a visual person and LOVE to highlight and make notes. 

I have discovered that I am a stuffer.  I think that I already knew that but never knew how to deal with it.  In a lot of ways, this being a "stuffer" has played a role in my quest for a healthier life.  When feeling over-whelmed - I am an emotional eater.  A few years back, I almost lost my marriage.  I had thoughts that my husband didn't love me anymore, didn't care for me any more - etc.. but instead of talking to him and getting to the bottom of my feelings, I stuffed them which led to some serious damage.  I am so grateful that my husband is a forgiving man and that God has given him the love for me to love me in spite of myself. 

I haven't finished this book yet but already know that I am going to highly recommend it to anyone that will listen.

I have also found an amazing online bible study thanks to a blog that I follow, it's called http://shereadstruth.com/.  I am getting so much out of it.  Thanks to Tina (http://www.tinareale.com/) for the pic on instagram that led me to it!

Activity Plan for 8/13-8/19

My goals for 8/13-8/19

I am participating in Tina Reale's 2nd bootcamp. You should check out her blog - she is amazing and an inspiration,(http://www.tinareale.com/best-body-bootcamp/). I HIGHLY recommend this.

8/13 - Curves Circuit and #bestbodybootcamp
8/14 - Curves Circuit and #bestbodybootcamp
8/15 - Curves Circuit + Zumba and #bestbodybootcamp
8/16 - Turbo Jam and #bestbodybootcamp
8/17 - Curves Circuit + Zumba and #bestbodybootcamp
8/18 - Turbo Jam and #bestbodybootcamp

8/19 - REST and spending time in God's house :)

Activity Plan for 8/8-8/14

My goals for 8/8-8/14:
I am participating in Tina Reale's 2nd bootcamp. You should check out her blog - she is amazing and an inspiration,(http://www.tinareale.com/best-body-bootcamp/). I HIGHLY recommend this.

8/8 - Curves Circuit + Zumba and #bestbodybootcamp
8/9 - Curves Circuit and #bestbodybootcamp
8/10 - Curves Circuit + Zumba and #bestbodybootcamp
8/11 - Curves Circuit and #bestbodybootcamp (cardio of choice)
8/12 - REST and spending time in God's house :)
8/13 - #bestbodybootcamp
8/14 - Curves Circuit and #bestbodybootcamp

It looks like we might have a break in the weather here (it has been around 102-108 for the last 6-8 weeks). If the temp does drop down to the 80's then I am going to start the C25K program again.

8/6

I haven't been the best at blogging this past week, this is still all new to me and I need to get in the habit.  I know, I know....100 days makes it a habit.  Maybe I need to commit to this.


This has been a busy week for me.  Not only have I been trying to make sure that I get all of my #bestbodybootcamp workouts in (http://www.tinareale.com/best-body-bootcamp)
I am also trying to make sure that I get my Curves Circuit workouts in (got 4 last week).  I am trying to work in running/walking (have started to C25K) but the heat has been so bad here, above 102 and I just can't make myself run in this heat.

I have been canning a lot this past weekend.  It is nice to see everything in those jars but it is exhausting!  I have canned salsa, tomatoes and peaches and still have tons of peaches left to can.  Then I will be canning the pears once they are ready,

Katy did move out last week and that same night, Jordan proposed and of course, she said yes.  So now, we have a wedding to plan.  The date is August 3, 2013.  My kiddos are growing up way to fast for my taste.

I need to get and run some errands (I took the day off work today :) 

I will be back here later this evening with my activity plan for the week.  In the meantime, I feel the need to share the good news that I rec'd when stepping on the scale this morning....143.8!!

8/1

Today is the first day of a new month and that calls for a weigh in - 144.8  :)

*The scale is finally down

*This makes me very happy

I had to revise my workout plan for the week and remove the running.  It is too hot to be running.  The average daily temp has been between 104 - 108.  I get up at 4:30 AM how it is for work and I can't justify getting up at 3:45 AM to run.  Maybe that means that I am lazy, so be it.  When it cools off some then I will start the C25K program.

I can tell that the #bestbodybootcamp is doing something, my arm muscles are still sore from Monday.  Tonight is Core and that is a killer for me.  I am not in awful shape but I am out of shape BUT striving to get there.  :)

Until tomorrow