Whole 30 Challenge - Day 0

The very smart people I work with started a Whole 30 Challenge last week. We are keeping track of our food, drinking, exercise, and one aspect of our lifestyle every day for a month.  I know just a little about this kind of eating and lifestyle and had a lot of questions for my friends who keep a paleo diet and are devoted to Cross Fit. At first, I was resistant. I work out 5-6 times a week and eat pretty well. The footnote here would give many examples of my serious sugar addiction. SERIOUS.

Sugar is just one of the no-nos when it comes to eating for the next month. In addition to sugar, I'll be staying away from:

• grains
• most starches 
• dairy
• alcohol
• all other sweeteners
• all processed food

We had a 'soft' start a few days ago. I kept eating my baked oatmeal and nonfat Greek yogurt because it was made--not to mention delicious! I've been working out everyday and feeling really strong. No more push ups on my knees! I am really into Fitness Blender. They have more than 300 free full-length workouts. Right now, I'm doing a lot of high intensity interval training and strength training. 

There's another aspect of the challenge called mobilizing. We get two points for stretching for at least ten minutes. This will be a great motivator because I'm guilty of rushing through my post-work out cool down.

Here's how the points work:

• 5 points for nutrition if you stay away from all the no-nos
• 2 points for working out for 10 or more minutes
• 2 points for mobilizing
• 2 points for avoiding all alcohol
• 2 points for the week's lifestyle challenge

This week, our lifestyle challenge was to get 8 hours of sleep. I failed everyday. I get up very early for work and had a very hard time winding down in the evening. This coming week we'll be showing gratitude--pretty great focus.

The points are tallied on a shared Google doc and while the competition aspect is motivating, it's the partnership with my friends at work that will help me make these changes. I'll report each day on how I did and how I'm feeling.

Tomorrow's our official start date, but today I stuck to the rules. Here's the rundown.

Nutrition

I had a bacon frittata for breakfast, sausage with kale and spinach for lunch, blueberries for a snack, and mussels with haricot vert for dinner. I felt so self-important, I didn't even miss the fries! A full two points for me!

Exercising

I did a great Fitness Blender workout called Total Body Toning Strength & HIIT Cardio Workout and a bonus 20 push ups.

Mobilizing

It didn't happen.

Alcohol

Despite going to a bar for a birthday party, I had zero drinks. 

Lifestyle

I did not get 8 hours of sleep. Womp.