The part of me that loves order, HATES the fact that I started this blog while already halfway through my Whole30 challenge. But the part of me that has pledged to Be Flexible is content to just write up what I've been through so far and call it a day!
What is the Whole30?
The Whole30 program is pretty simple really. It's 30 days of eating "real" food. Sounds simple, right? We eat real food all the time! Pizza is real, right? I am not WISHING it into existence. It's REALLY food and it's REALLY delicious. Alas, it is REALLY not a part of this program.
Here's what you can't eat
Dairy
Grains
Legumes
Sugar
Alcohol
Here's what you can
meat
seafood
eggs
vegetables
fruit
good fats from fruits, nuts, oils and seeds
Days 1-2
After shopping and dropping a small fortune at Whole Foods, I am feeling ready for this! Until I wake up on Day 1 and realize, I am not ready enough. I have no idea what to eat and when. I end of snacking on a lot of nuts while wondering why I decided to do this.
Days 3-5
The Whole30 timeline says I might be feeling flu-like symptoms at this stage, as my body works out toxins. However, since I leapt into the challenge whithout much forethought, I didn't have any binge days leading up to the beginning. I don't feel flu-ey so much as... bored. I am already bored of eggs.
These days fell over a weekend, while I was staying at a pal's house looking after their dog.I take the pup for a run, and instead of doing mu customary 3 miles, I run half a mile and peter out. Apologizing to the dog, I turn around and walk us home.
On day 5, I go to the supermarket (for the third time in five days) and nearly break down in tears. I am starving.
Day 6
I really hate life. I email Andrew (my fiance) constantly, asking him if I should quit. It's not that there are certain foods I'm craving-- it's just that I am sick of the WORK that goes into this. I can't recall why I decided to do this damn thing.
Since there isn't a particular food I'm dying for, I decide to make it through the night and reassess the next day. I give the Whole30 Program the Dread Pirate Roberts treatment.
"Goodnight Diet! I'll most likely kill you in the morning."
Day 7
My colleague Amy has been eating Paleo for a few months, and she swings by my desk to ask me how I'm doing. My scowl is an answer. She says the words that change the course of my challenge "You are not eating enough food."
And with those words, the challenge turned around for me. I went from hating life to being really quite fond of it.
But more on that next time!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
The Challenges
Here are the Challenges I've set up for myself. With the exception of the first Whole30, which I very inconveniently started mid-month they will all run for a calendar month.
The Rules:
1) Be flexible! These are the challenges that I set out in September 2014, but life doesn't always follow our schedule. I'm planning on reassessing at the beginning of each month to see if the upcoming challenge is still appropriate and exciting. If not, there are plenty other ways to challenge thyself!
2) Stay in the Moment. This will likely be the most difficult aspect to navigate. Since I have the challenges listed out in advance, how do I resist the urge to do them all at once? If I know wrapping hair in a towel causes breakage, why not stop NOW? Why prolong bad habits that I have the desire to break? I think the goal here will be not to obsess over what's coming, and instead to focus on the challenge at hand. And if I find myself adopting some good behaviors before their time has come... well, there are plenty of other goals I can reach for. I'm glad I decided to Be Flexible!
3) Keep Going: Just because November is over, I hope I don't stop meditating! The same goes for all the changes I'm making. It's important to find time and energy to keep up the practices that make me happy and healthy. Honestly, I worry about this one. I put in an application to get more than 24 hours in my days, but I haven't heard back.
4) Have fun. I mean, duh. This isn't meant to be torture. It's meant to clear some of the crap out of my life and add some good stuff. If it becomes torturous, it's time to rethink, scale down the goals and eat some ice cream.
5) Add an occasional beauty challenge. This is primarily a health project, but some of my goals are easier than others. When I have an easy health challenge, I will also add in a bonus beauty challenge.
The Challenges!
September/October 2014: Whole30 Challenge.
A month of clean eating. No sugar, dairy, alcohol, grains, legumes for 30 days. This is... not easy.
October 2014: Yoga Every Damn Day.
At least 15 minutes. 30 minutes is good. An hour is better.
November 2014: Meditate Daily
December 2014: Oil Pulling
An easy challenge to help my dental health.
And an easy health challenge calls for an bonus beauty challenge!
Ditch bad beauty habits (washing face in shower, using q-tips, the towel turban)
January 2015: Build Core Strength.
I have a bulging disc that bothers me off-and-on. It tends to flare when I up my workouts. There are core exercises that a physical therapist has told me to do daily, but UGH, they're boring. But January cares not for your whining. January requires you do them daily.
Bonus beauty challenge! Acquire good beauty habits (body brushing for a start. More to be added as I research)
February 2015: 10 minute miles
Now that I have a super strong core, I'm ready to run! My goal for February is to be regularly running a 10 minute mile. A huge improvement over my past time of 12 minute miles!
March 2015: Whole30 Challenge
I figure after the holidays, some of my bad habits will have returned and a few more pounds might have crept on... perhaps time for another Whole30!
April 2015: Love Thyself
Six months in, I think it will be time to take a break from the changing and improving, and take some time to appreciate. In April I'll focus on being happy with what I have and who I am. I'll read some books about self-love (hehe) and take some time for daily affirmations. Because I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!
May 2015: Work It
I have a sit/stand desk that I love, but honestly, I sit more than is ideal. May is a busy month for me at work, so a challenge that doesn't require a lot of time is ideal. I want to stand for at least four of the eight hours I spend at work.
Bonus beauty challenge! Dress to impress. Make the most of the clothes in my closet and feel good about what I put on.
June 2015: Rise and Shine an hour earlier
As the days get longer, I want to seize the day. I am an anti-morningite. a perpetual snoozer. But not in June! The challenge is to rise an hour earlier than usual (for me, this will be 6am) and use the time to do something great. Run a few 10 minute miles. Yoga! Meditating! Or you know, dishes.
July 2015: Quit my daily coffee habit
It's honestly not much of a treat, and I think it's contributing to reddness in my skin (more on that later). So, daily coffee begone!
Bonus beauty challenge! Learn new makeup tricks. I want to learn to do a cat-eye with the best of them.
August 2015: Arm Workouts Galore!
Ah, this one is pure vanity. As the wedding fast approaches, it's time to get serious about these arms. A fluffy white dress can hide some stuff, but the guns will be out, and I want them to look GOOD.
September 2015: Breathe
This sounds like a year of hard work. My wedding will likely be this month or the next, so it's time to remember to breathe, relax, and enjoy it all.
The Rules:
1) Be flexible! These are the challenges that I set out in September 2014, but life doesn't always follow our schedule. I'm planning on reassessing at the beginning of each month to see if the upcoming challenge is still appropriate and exciting. If not, there are plenty other ways to challenge thyself!
2) Stay in the Moment. This will likely be the most difficult aspect to navigate. Since I have the challenges listed out in advance, how do I resist the urge to do them all at once? If I know wrapping hair in a towel causes breakage, why not stop NOW? Why prolong bad habits that I have the desire to break? I think the goal here will be not to obsess over what's coming, and instead to focus on the challenge at hand. And if I find myself adopting some good behaviors before their time has come... well, there are plenty of other goals I can reach for. I'm glad I decided to Be Flexible!
3) Keep Going: Just because November is over, I hope I don't stop meditating! The same goes for all the changes I'm making. It's important to find time and energy to keep up the practices that make me happy and healthy. Honestly, I worry about this one. I put in an application to get more than 24 hours in my days, but I haven't heard back.
4) Have fun. I mean, duh. This isn't meant to be torture. It's meant to clear some of the crap out of my life and add some good stuff. If it becomes torturous, it's time to rethink, scale down the goals and eat some ice cream.
5) Add an occasional beauty challenge. This is primarily a health project, but some of my goals are easier than others. When I have an easy health challenge, I will also add in a bonus beauty challenge.
The Challenges!
September/October 2014: Whole30 Challenge.
A month of clean eating. No sugar, dairy, alcohol, grains, legumes for 30 days. This is... not easy.
October 2014: Yoga Every Damn Day.
At least 15 minutes. 30 minutes is good. An hour is better.
November 2014: Meditate Daily
December 2014: Oil Pulling
An easy challenge to help my dental health.
And an easy health challenge calls for an bonus beauty challenge!
Ditch bad beauty habits (washing face in shower, using q-tips, the towel turban)
January 2015: Build Core Strength.
I have a bulging disc that bothers me off-and-on. It tends to flare when I up my workouts. There are core exercises that a physical therapist has told me to do daily, but UGH, they're boring. But January cares not for your whining. January requires you do them daily.
Bonus beauty challenge! Acquire good beauty habits (body brushing for a start. More to be added as I research)
February 2015: 10 minute miles
Now that I have a super strong core, I'm ready to run! My goal for February is to be regularly running a 10 minute mile. A huge improvement over my past time of 12 minute miles!
March 2015: Whole30 Challenge
I figure after the holidays, some of my bad habits will have returned and a few more pounds might have crept on... perhaps time for another Whole30!
April 2015: Love Thyself
Six months in, I think it will be time to take a break from the changing and improving, and take some time to appreciate. In April I'll focus on being happy with what I have and who I am. I'll read some books about self-love (hehe) and take some time for daily affirmations. Because I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!
May 2015: Work It
I have a sit/stand desk that I love, but honestly, I sit more than is ideal. May is a busy month for me at work, so a challenge that doesn't require a lot of time is ideal. I want to stand for at least four of the eight hours I spend at work.
Bonus beauty challenge! Dress to impress. Make the most of the clothes in my closet and feel good about what I put on.
June 2015: Rise and Shine an hour earlier
As the days get longer, I want to seize the day. I am an anti-morningite. a perpetual snoozer. But not in June! The challenge is to rise an hour earlier than usual (for me, this will be 6am) and use the time to do something great. Run a few 10 minute miles. Yoga! Meditating! Or you know, dishes.
July 2015: Quit my daily coffee habit
It's honestly not much of a treat, and I think it's contributing to reddness in my skin (more on that later). So, daily coffee begone!
Bonus beauty challenge! Learn new makeup tricks. I want to learn to do a cat-eye with the best of them.
August 2015: Arm Workouts Galore!
Ah, this one is pure vanity. As the wedding fast approaches, it's time to get serious about these arms. A fluffy white dress can hide some stuff, but the guns will be out, and I want them to look GOOD.
September 2015: Breathe
This sounds like a year of hard work. My wedding will likely be this month or the next, so it's time to remember to breathe, relax, and enjoy it all.
In the Beginning, there was a book...
Hiya, I'm Candace.
For the next twelve months, I'm going to take on a monthly health and/or beauty challenge. Some of the challenges will be easy (learn some new makeup tricks) and some will be tough (the whole30 challenge).
What has possessed me to do such a thing? Well, first and foremost, vanity. I'm planning to get married this fall and I want to look ah. mah. zing.
Second: I'm 31. I look around and see women and men my age doing the oddest things. We're running. Reading books on psychology. Exploring vegan diets. We're hell-bent on self-improvement. And I want some of that improved-self.
A turning point in me was reading Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. In it, she picks a monthly challenge to make her home a-- you guessed it-- happier place. Reading this book was an interesting experience for me. It was a self help book, guys. How embarrassing! When I finished, I wasn't racing to Goodreads to share what I'd read. I mean, I didn't want people knowing that I was, you know, interested in happiness. Ugh. I am entirely too cool for that.
Except I'm not. While the book didn't set my world on fire while I was reading, the oddest thing happened when I finished. I picked up It Starts With Food, a book I'd given up on a year before, and immediately whizzed through it. And once I put THAT book down, without much more thought, I began the Whole30 challenge. Just like that. Without realizing it, I was taking a page out of Gretchen Rubin's book and changing my life, 30 days at a time.
I am currently 13 days into the Whole30, and I feel amazing. Fantastic. I am in, what's called, the Tiger Blood stage. According to the Whole30 timeline, "Tiger Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting better, workouts are stronger." Yes. Yup. All of those things. And the best part, is that someone who flipped the switch? That was me.
So, powered by Tiger Blood, I had an idea. What if I did something like this every month? With roughly twelve months till my wedding day (the date hasn't been set yet, but we're looking at Fall 2015), what if I harnessed my love for a challenge and made some positive changes in my life? And if they positively impact my appearance? Well, more's the better.
So, that's the short version of why I'm doing this. Because it's fun. Because setting crazy goals has always been the best way for me to make a change. Because I'm running on Tiger Blood and perhaps I'm making promises my future self can't keep. We shall see.
As for me, I can't wait to see how it turns out!
For the next twelve months, I'm going to take on a monthly health and/or beauty challenge. Some of the challenges will be easy (learn some new makeup tricks) and some will be tough (the whole30 challenge).
What has possessed me to do such a thing? Well, first and foremost, vanity. I'm planning to get married this fall and I want to look ah. mah. zing.
Second: I'm 31. I look around and see women and men my age doing the oddest things. We're running. Reading books on psychology. Exploring vegan diets. We're hell-bent on self-improvement. And I want some of that improved-self.
A turning point in me was reading Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. In it, she picks a monthly challenge to make her home a-- you guessed it-- happier place. Reading this book was an interesting experience for me. It was a self help book, guys. How embarrassing! When I finished, I wasn't racing to Goodreads to share what I'd read. I mean, I didn't want people knowing that I was, you know, interested in happiness. Ugh. I am entirely too cool for that.
Except I'm not. While the book didn't set my world on fire while I was reading, the oddest thing happened when I finished. I picked up It Starts With Food, a book I'd given up on a year before, and immediately whizzed through it. And once I put THAT book down, without much more thought, I began the Whole30 challenge. Just like that. Without realizing it, I was taking a page out of Gretchen Rubin's book and changing my life, 30 days at a time.
I am currently 13 days into the Whole30, and I feel amazing. Fantastic. I am in, what's called, the Tiger Blood stage. According to the Whole30 timeline, "Tiger Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting better, workouts are stronger." Yes. Yup. All of those things. And the best part, is that someone who flipped the switch? That was me.
So, powered by Tiger Blood, I had an idea. What if I did something like this every month? With roughly twelve months till my wedding day (the date hasn't been set yet, but we're looking at Fall 2015), what if I harnessed my love for a challenge and made some positive changes in my life? And if they positively impact my appearance? Well, more's the better.
So, that's the short version of why I'm doing this. Because it's fun. Because setting crazy goals has always been the best way for me to make a change. Because I'm running on Tiger Blood and perhaps I'm making promises my future self can't keep. We shall see.
As for me, I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Tiger
Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy
is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting
better, workouts are stronger. - See more at:
http://whole30.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/#sthash.6Zes7yPH.dpuf
Tiger
Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy
is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting
better, workouts are stronger. - See more at:
http://whole30.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/#sthash.6Zes7yPH.dpuf
Tiger
Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy
is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting
better, workouts are stronger. - See more at:
http://whole30.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/#sthash.6Zes7yPH.dpuf
Tiger
Blood means someone flipped a switch and turned on the awesome. Energy
is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting
better, workouts are stronger. - See more at:
http://whole30.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/#sthash.6Zes7yPH.dpuf"
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