January 11 I started the WLC. Whole Life Challenge is an online challenge for diet and exercise. It's 8 weeks of no sugar, grain(bread/pasta), dairy(except for butter), preserved food, fastfood. I have 2 weeks to go and I feel like I'm just getting into a good routine. I've lost 17 lbs already! Everyday I have to exercise for a minimum of 10 minutes and stretch for 10 minutes. I take a daily supplement, log in every day to record my score and add a brief comment on 'how it's going'.
So how is it going? I feel better than I have in a long time. My clothes are loose. Since starting I have better balance, stamina, and strength. For the first 2 weeks I was doing the basics. I had the 'low-carb flu' feeling(headaches and fatigue) for a few days. I was sore...actually I have been sore everyday since I started. I've steadily upped my workouts.
Last fall I joined the gym (again). My Manager started getting fit and invited the gym to come recruit from my work. Alot of us signed up..I usually see a co-worker every time I'm at the gym. I have been going 3-5 days per week. My husband and 15 year old son just signed up and have been going with me(and without me if I'm working). I have a few friends from work, my gym buddies, that I try to go with...anything that will keep me from cancelling or cutting my workout short(and friends and family make the gym fun). I've also been to a Zumba class with my friend who is also a Girl Scout leader like me.
After the first week I had to do some recipe research..I got tired of eating chicken and broccoli everyday. I found a few food blogs that are paleo(almost WLC compliant) or gluten free:
nomnompaleo.comand
glutenfreeanna.com .
I've also found a few new podcasts: Vinnie Tortorich is a fitness trainer that started someting called NSNG No sugar No Grain. His podcast is informative and funny and also inappropriate. Robb Wold Paleo Solution. I've listened to Zen and the Art of Triathlon for years..he talks alot about healthy eating.
A couple things I've learned in these 6 weeks so far...
-I like cashews. They are my favorite nut this week.
-I don't need dairy. I thought I would have a hard time giving up cheese but I didnt. The thing I probably miss the most is bread, and only if I smell it..but I'm ok without it too.
-Natural food tastes sweeter when you give up sugar. My taste buds have completely changed. Last week I was snacking on a bag of carrot sticks. I ate a few and went back to the refrigerater to look at the package. I was convinced that there must have been suger added or atleast they were packaged in sugarwater..nope, the only ingredient on the package was carrots.
I never thought sweet potatoes were sweet..I do now. And sometimes apples are too sweet. I eat them with nuts.
-The only carbs you need are the ones that come from fruit and vegetables. It's true..Because I'm getting healthy food and meat and eggs..I have enough energy now to get through the day.
Also,because of the challenge, I have some fun new gadgets! At the beginning pf the challenge I found a veggie and meat slicer on clearance. AND.. My Valentines present from my husband is a Vitamix!!! I've been making breakfast smoothies and green smoothies with spinach and (more recently) bullet proof coffee.
Oatmeal, almonds, strawberry, blueberry, banana, coconut milk, ice
January 11 I started the WLC. Whole Life Challenge is an online challenge for diet and exercise. It's 8 weeks of no sugar, grain(bread/pasta), dairy(except for butter), preserved food, fastfood. I have 2 weeks to go and I feel like I'm just getting into a good routine. I've lost 17 lbs already! Everyday I have to exercise for a minimum of 10 minutes and stretch for 10 minutes. I take a daily supplement, log in every day to record my score and add a brief comment on 'how it's going'.
So how is it going? I feel better than I have in a long time. My clothes are loose. Since starting I have better balance, stamina, and strength. For the first 2 weeks I was doing the basics. I had the 'low-carb flu' feeling(headaches and fatigue) for a few days. I was sore...actually I have been sore everyday since I started. I've steadily upped my workouts.
Last fall I joined the gym (again). My Manager started getting fit and invited the gym to come recruit from my work. Alot of us signed up..I usually see a co-worker every time I'm at the gym. I have been going 3-5 days per week. My husband and 15 year old son just signed up and have been going with me(and without me if I'm working). I have a few friends from work, my gym buddies, that I try to go with...anything that will keep me from cancelling or cutting my workout short(and friends and family make the gym fun). I've also been to a Zumba class with my friend who is also a Girl Scout leader like me.
After the first week I had to do some recipe research..I got tired of eating chicken and broccoli everyday. I found a few food blogs that are paleo(almost WLC compliant) or gluten free:nomnompaleo.comandglutenfreeanna.com .
I've also found a few new podcasts: Vinnie Tortorich is a fitness trainer that started someting called NSNG No sugar No Grain. His podcast is informative and funny and also inappropriate. Robb Wold Paleo Solution. I've listened to Zen and the Art of Triathlon for years..he talks alot about healthy eating.
A couple things I've learned in these 6 weeks so far...
-I like cashews. They are my favorite nut this week.
-I don't need dairy. I thought I would have a hard time giving up cheese but I didnt. The thing I probably miss the most is bread, and only if I smell it..but I'm ok without it too.
-Natural food tastes sweeter when you give up sugar. My taste buds have completely changed. Last week I was snacking on a bag of carrot sticks. I ate a few and went back to the refrigerater to look at the package. I was convinced that there must have been suger added or atleast they were packaged in sugarwater..nope, the only ingredient on the package was carrots.
I never thought sweet potatoes were sweet..I do now. And sometimes apples are too sweet. I eat them with nuts.
-The only carbs you need are the ones that come from fruit and vegetables. It's true..Because I'm getting healthy food and meat and eggs..I have enough energy now to get through the day.
Also,because of the challenge, I have some fun new gadgets! At the beginning pf the challenge I found a veggie and meat slicer on clearance. AND.. My Valentines present from my husband is a Vitamix!!! I've been making breakfast smoothies and green smoothies with spinach and (more recently) bullet proof coffee.
Oatmeal, almonds, strawberry, blueberry, banana, coconut milk, ice
