No Excuses - Whole 30 Challenge - Day 10

Busy. The B word. I feel very busy right now, but I can't make any excuses when it comes to my health. No one is so busy that they can't make a better choice. Perhaps the best choice is out of reach when life is jam packed, but the better choice is always there.

Nutrition
I had my fourth and final serving of my mushroom and kale frittata for breakfast. For lunch, I had roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes. Snack consisted of many very tasty blueberries--the difference of eating something in season.

I'm a teacher and this is teacher appreciation week. My school had a masseur in and I had a wonderful massage in the middle of the school day. They also had Jamaba Juice delivered and I had about a third of a paleo juice: mango, peach, and strawberries. It was dairy free, but it was mega sweet.

My work buddy told me Chipotle was offering a buy one, get one free deal for teachers. This was perfect timing because I had grad school. I bought two salad bowls, knowing I could save the other for the next day. So, for dinner I had a steak salad bowl with pico de gallo and guacamole.

Exercising
I know I write about bonus points a lot. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop. I got home from grad school, wiped from that and a regular work day, but rallied to workout. Where are my well-deserved bonus points!?

This workout is quick at just 23 minutes. Do it. Know that the first exercise was tough for me, but no excuses!

Mobilizing
I stretched with Kelli and then again before bed.

Drinking
Two points.

Lifestyle
Prioritizing gratitude is such a great goal. I showered a family member with some gratitude over the phone.

Jury Duty - Whole 30 Challenge - Day 9

I didn't have to go to these lengths, but after sitting in a massive room with hundreds of other inconvenienced Brooklynites, I was dismissed. I'm off the hook for 8 years.

Nutrition
I had the mushroom and kale frittata for breakfast; leftover from yesterday's dinner. Since I had an hour and fifteen minute lunch break, I did some walking around downtown Brooklyn. I got on line at Starbucks because I had a $10 gift card, but there was nothing there I could eat. All the food options had cheese or some sort of grain. I ended up with an enormous salad of grilled chicken, mixed greens, beets, avocado, and bacon. I ate half for lunch and half for dinner.

Disclaimer: What follows is anything but cute.

I snacked on another Lara bar because they're mostly dates and they're sweet. They have two to three ingredients and, again, quite tasty. After having one on two consecutive dates, I felt a bit bloated at the end of the day. I realized they have quite a bit of natural sugar, but even so, this is a lot more natural sugar than I've had since the zeros days and the last nine days of the challenge. Up until now, I've had sugar in the form of fruit and dried cranberries. No more Lara bars for the next several days and I'll see how I feel.

Exercising
Do this at your own risk: 45 Minute HIIT & Total Body Toning Tabata Workout. It was incredible. Again, I think I should get at least, at least, 300 bonus points for getting this workout done with no pauses and no cheating. Who do I talk to about my bonus point concerns?

Mobilizing
I did this pretty lame 10 Minute Yoga/Hip Stretch routine. It was about 4 minutes of talking. Not everything on the YouTube is Fitness Blender quality. I did my own stretching after.

Lifestyle
This week, we're focused on gratitude. We can show our gratitude in any form, it just has to be front of mind. While I was sitting in the jury room, I had lots of opportunities to show my operations team a ton of gratitude, as the hustled to help me get connected to the internet and get some work done.

Bridal Shower Discipline - Whole 30 Challenge - Day 8

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines discipline as a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders. This challenge doesn't have rules, though. It has guidelines. Suggestions. I could have a glass of wine, but then I'd lose a point. I could eat some chips and lose points, but I don't want to! This challenge has awaken my competitive beast. 

My beautiful friend's bridal shower was today. I am her bridesmaid, like she was mine, and I wanted the shower to be a special day for her. I think it went really well and that she felt loved. Her other friends added lovely touches and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves.

I had a great time, despite being surrounded by weaknesses. Her shower was themed Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. Her friend made a wonderful candy bar like the one below with all blue candies and guests created their own goody bags. I looked, but didn't partake. 

Nutrition

I ate a Lara bar in the car for "breakfast" on my way to the bridal shower. For lunch, I had the mother of the bride's delicious sausage and peppers and grilled vegetables. I snacked on almonds and cranberries while other guests had chips and salsa. In addition to the candy bar, my friend's sister-in-law made her chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing in the shape of a wedding dress. It was so sweet of her and they looked divine along with the cannoli and cookies. I had fruit salad for dessert and felt satisfied. I had a frittata for dinner.

Exercising

It was a busy morning, so all I had time for was this 20 Minute Upper Body Routine. I no longer do push-ups on my knees, in case you were wondering.

Mobilizing

It didn't happen.

Drinking

And although I lost my mobilizing points, I really should earn a bonus 1,000 points for discipline. I was surrounded by wine and only had water at the shower.

Lifestyle

Again, I chose Game of Thrones and Mad Men over 8 hours of sleep. No points here.

Weight Loss - Whole 30 Challenge - Day 7

I stepped on a scale today and was stunned to see that I've lost 4.6 pounds in 9 days. That's unusual. I know normal weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. I'm attributing this to cutting out white flour, all sugar, and all processed foods. I'm working out regularly, about 30 minutes a day. I'm really enjoying the strength exercises. I've underestimated the cardiovascular benefits of lifting weights. I definitely felt that today.

I'm not doing this challenge primarily to lose weight, but this is incredible motivation. I realize it won't be as dramatic moving forward as my body gets more used to this new way of eating. I'm still feeling really good and talking about this challenge constantly. It'd be more if I wasn't writing about it, so you're welcome, family and friends.

Nutrition
I went out to brunch with my family at an incredibly delicious and frustratingly popular restaurant. After a forty minute wait, I had a short beef hash, with fried eggs and greens. It was so worth weight. I had tea, cashews, and walnuts for a snack. After a House of Cards marathon, we ordered take out and I had roasted chicken and plantains for dinner.

Exercising

I did this Fat Blasting Total Body Strength Training and Toning workout and really liked it. It was challenging since I increased my weight and it definitely is total body. I'm going to add this one to the rotation more regularly.

Mobilizing

I like the before bed stretching routine--super relaxing.

Drinking

Two points.

Lifestyle
I got home too late and had an event in the morning. Zero points.

Rest Day - Whole 30 Challenge - Day 6

Today was the first day in quite a few that I tallied less than 11 points. I chose hanging with my husband and relaxing after a long work week over working out and I'm fine with that.

Nutrition
I had two hard boils eggs and a banana for breakfast; not delicious but fine. For lunch, I had my leftover roasted veggies; not delicious but fine. For dinner part one, I had a salad from a new spot near the office: an overpriced beets, walnut, and [gasp!] goat cheese salad. I didn't read closely enough and, even though it was barely four dollops, I lost a point. And it wasn't even that delicious. Mr. Crying Cook and I went out for dinner and I had ribs and collard greens; the best eats of the day.

Exercise
After a longer than usual work day, I needed a meal out, so the workout didn't happen.

Mobilizing
I stretched before bed.

Drinking
Two points easy.

Lifestyle
A two points loss.