For the next 30+ days, I will be eating meat, vegetables, healthy fats, fruits and nuts. I will not be eating processed food, sugar, dairy, grains or legumes, and I won’t be consuming any alcohol.
I’ve done a few Whole30 challenges before, but this time I’m looking for something a little different. I lost touch with my Paleo choices last year and I would like to reconnect with what it means to feel healthy, vibrant, and in tune with my whole self.
If you’re doing a Whole30 or other challenge, if you are living/exploring the Paleo lifestyle, or if you are simply looking for some tasty recipes to add to your repertoire, be sure to leave a comment to let me know you’re out there! I am so glad you stopped by!
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Day 3 is done!
“Nothing happens unless first a dream.” – Carl Sandburg
Have you ever considered the impact that your dreams have on the direction of your life? I’m not talking about the sleeping dreams, although those can be signals of what’s going on deeper down…or not…. I’m talking about the dreams that come from wishes that YOU turn into reality. I believe that how you dream about something can make a big difference in whether or not you realize that dream. If your dream is to be “skinny”, I think that it’s worth re-evaluating it and tweaking it just a bit.
Consider a dream about being healthy and happy instead. What would that look like to you? Perhaps that means you are at your ideal, healthy body weight, but maybe there’s even more to it than that. When you envision yourself as the healthy and fulfilled you, that person might be energized, ready to tackle any challenge, on fire and willing to make a few sacrifices for long-term goals. That person might have realized that skinny isn’t everything. Or even anything.
If you want to feel happy and full of vitality, then you need to feed your body, mind and soul the ingredients that help get you there. For me right now on this Whole30, that means no ice cream. Or wine. Long-term, I’m pretty sure that means a little bit of both. But it also means so much more.
Paleo isn’t a diet for me. It’s really about a life-style that incorporates the right food for my body, exercise, sleep, play, and balance. The Whole30 is about recalibrating after a time of decadence so that I can hear what my body is saying and answer what my mind is asking. That it helps me lose weight is actually a by-product of my hormones, blood sugar, and cravings regulating themselves because I’m feeding them properly so that I can make healthy decisions away from the influence of sweets and processed foods.
You’ll notice that I am weighing and measuring food right now. On previous Whole30s, I did not. The program itself doesn’t ask you to because it isn’t about 4 or 6 oz. of chicken; it’s about finding what your body needs to feel strong and alive. Everyone is different, just like each day is. I’m doing it to give an idea of what I eat in case it helps someone learn to tune in to their own signals. Go ahead and experiment a little so that you can find your own way.
Day 3 – The Details
4:30am – Black coffee
6:15am – 2 eggs, kale, 1/2 tsp. coconut oil, 1/4 avocado, sauerkraut, 1 clementine
11:15am – 1 1/2 c. roasted butternut squash soup
12:30pm – 5 oz. chicken, cucumber, tomato, 5 kalamata olives, 1 Tbsp. mayo and an orange
5:30pm – Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (from PaleOMG’s new cookbook)
Food: Food felt pretty good! Dinner was a little later than planned so I was hungry, but I am trying not to snack between meals unless it is post-workout. I am definitely hungry when mealtime rolls around, but it feels like appropriate, healthy hunger.
Mood: Feeling good about finally getting this going, and I am beyond excited about the number of friends I have doing this with me! It was a great day!
Sleep: 6 1/2 last night. I’m going to be tired tonight!
Activity: 1 hr. weights / Sprints 3 different times today
Focus – Drink tea or water: Yes. I’m finally not feeling desperately dehydrated anymore. I find this focus helps me think water first, food second so that I can determine whether I’m actually hungry or not.
