So Easy A Caveman Could Do It

My name is Beth and I am a recovering carboholic. I love all things carbs. Pumpkin bread. Donuts. Rolls. Pasta. You name it and if it has a starch then I love it. My body however does not. I can eat a biscuit and feel tired within 5 minutes. I also gain what seems like 3 pounds just from said biscuit. It took me a long time to "detox" and to realize that there are good carbs and bad carbs. I started listening to my body and realized that "white starches" are my enemy. I decided to eat cleaner. Once I almost completely stopped eating carbs, in addition to my 1 to 2 hours of cardio/weight training, I lost 70 lbs. In just under 3 months time. I know that isn't healthy to lose weight that quickly,but truth be told, I was on a medication for my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom) that helped my body to use the food I was eating as energy instead of turning everything to fat. In eating that way I discovered several things about my body.

1. Carbs cause my body to put my pancreas into overtime when releasing insulin.

2. My moods were much better and I had fewer "swings".

3. My cycle was regular and my cramps weren't nearly like they had been.

4. I had a ton of energy and motivation without having to take vitamin supplements.

There are just a few of the plus sides to eating cleaner. Now that I am working on getting my body and mind back into shape, my family is implementing the Paleo lifestyle. That means eating  the following:

Meat (No, I am not hunting and gathering like our ancestors did. I do enjoy deer meat and a few other wild game, but with a family that includes 3 year old twins and a full time job, I do not have the time to go out and hunt lol)

Nuts/Seeds

Berries

Veggies

Some fruits

Little starch

You will find that eating cleaner makes you feel so much better. You only have one body so why not take cae of it? I will say that during the "detox" phase of stopping carbs, I did feel tired and found myself craving bread like it was some kind of a drug, but replacing those starches with more protein, Omega 3, and natural vitamins and minerals replinished my body. I eat 6 small meals a day. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner I only allow myself to have 30 carbohydrates max. For the 3 small snacks, I only take in 15 carbs. I drink water, coffee, and tea. I don't use sugar but will use Stevia if I just need a little sweetness. There are several websites that offer recipe ideas and shopping lists to shop Paleo. I have posted a few of my favs.

Paleo Crock Pot Recipes- Time saving crock pot recipes

Caveman Strong - Paleo shopping lists, recipes, and more

Carb Counter - Great site that gives you the carbohydrate count for different foods and portions.

Low Carb Snacks - Different diabetic friendly snacks. Not Paleo, but good for those just following a carbohydrate restriction.

"Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got." ~Janis Joplin

Wall-Balls, Kettlebells, and Rowing...Oh My!

Wall-Balls, Kettlebells, and Rowing...those are my three favorites. This morning I did a light weight workout with the kettlebell to warm my muscles up and wake up my cardiovascular system. I love how the kettlebell gives an all over workout. Hips, back, thighs, core...it works so much more than just arms. I can't explain it...just like most girls stare of pretty, shiny diamonds; I look at kettlebells and see something wonderful. I know that is silly, but I just love them. Wall-balls are another on the top 5 list. Doing a low squat and lunging a 10+ pound ball high onto a wall sounds fairly simple. Get into an AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) with them for time and soon you find that your legs begin to hate you. Your arms want to fall off. Your mind starts to tell you...just stop. But you fight through and you push yourself...harder...faster. Accomplishment feels so good. Then the next day rolls around and you are asking your spouse to push you out of the bed because you can barely move from soreness...oh wait that is just me! Ha! That is what I love about wall-balls. How they give me this overwhelming desire to kick their ass. Rowing is probably one of my favorite cardio workouts. I really have no good physical reason for it (besides the fact that it is good for your back, core, arms, etc). I just love it. Period. I think it is fun and a great way to get out aggression. Row 500 meters in under a minute forty-five and tell me you aren't pumped!

In the two weeks I have been faithfully working out and eating right, I have lost 14lbs. I will post my nutrition plan and my weight/inches in an upcoming post. Since I have started a regular workout routine, I sleep better. My energy level is amazing. I have found things that I love and that has made my "workout" seem more like self-induced abusive fun. Finding something that makes you happy is key. You have to make sure your want is bigger than your don't want. I want to improve on my wall-ball skills. I want to lift more weight on my kettlebells. I want to row miles upon miles. I want to be better.

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Rest Day

Today is my rest day. I take one day a week to let my body recover. Taking care of your mind is just as important as caring for your body. I take in the time to just breathe and enjoy my loved ones. I want to instill in my children not only the habit of good nutrition and fitness but also give them good memories. Like the picture above says...we should all leave this world better than when we found it. 

Heroes



The picture above is of Chief Petty Officer Nate Hardy. He was killed Sunday February 4th during combat operations in Iraq. Nate is survived by his wife, Mindi, and his infant son Parker. The WOD yesterday, "Nate", was done in memory of the above mentioned hero. The WOD (Workout Of the Day) went like this:

Warm-Up:
Run 400M, DUs for 2 min or Row 500M;  Spend 5 Min on Shoulder Mobility; 2×10 Iron Crosses & Scorpions.  2 Minutes in Wheel or Bridging.

Skill:  Muscle Up Progression

Work:  "Nate"
Complete as many rounds in twenty minutes as you can of:
2 Muscle-ups (6 dips/4 ring dips/4 reverse pull ups)
4 Handstand Push-ups
8 2-Pood Kettlebell swings

I did the dips and reverse pull ups. I haven't yet achieved the upper body strength to do the ring dips. That is a goal I am working on! The handstand push-ups were modified for me. You can do this by putting your knees/thighs on a bench, lean down into the push up position and bring your chin to your chest. It will give the same result. I was able to accomplish 9 rounds in the 20 minutes. I was proud for my first timed WOD.

During the workout. I would find myself panting a little and grunting a little "aahh" out when I would lift the kettlebells. During the pain and the thoughts of...just slow down...I thought of Nate and his family. I don't know them personally, but I do know the military lifestyle. I thought of how terrible it must have been for her. Waiting for the phone call from him. Looking at their baby boy and seeing her husbands eyes or lips. The knock on the door telling her the dreaded news every military spouse fears. Then I thought of Nate. The pain my muscles were experiencing were nothing compared to what he had encountered. I pushed harder. I pushed through the reverse pull-up thinking that he and his family would give anything to experience a pain that minimal. I struggled through one more push-up thinking of how Nate and his family had made the ultimate sacrifice so that I can sleep at night in safety and with freedom. Thinking of this reminded me...there are things bigger than our excuses.

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in heroic makes heroes." ~Benjamin Disraeli

Challenge Accepted

We all wake up with a case of the "I don't wanna's". Every now and again is okay but continued excuses won't get you anywhere. "I don't wanna" didn't stop me from gaining weight and I doubt it would make me a stronger person if I fell back on it all the time. For me, I had to throw myself into an exercise routine that I enjoyed. Something I loved to do and viewed as a challenge...not a chore. I get inspired by Crossfit. The strength. The encouragement. Knowing I am pushing my body to the next level of fitness. That is what cures my case of the "I don't wanna's".

"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." ~ General George S. Patton

Rome Wasn't Built In A Day



Welcome to my blog! That is me above in all of my lovely dorkiness...ha! As you can tell from the title of my blog, this is me sharing my journey and struggles of not just losing pounds, but improving my physical fitness.  Since as far back as I can remember I have always been "plus size". I was born a thick girl. Period. For years I fought it. I lived with it. I embraced it. I even lost close to 70lbs at one time until I became pregnant with twins. Now, for the second time, I am on a mission to regain my fitness. I know my self worth isn't built around my size. Fitness isn't a number on a scale. Fitness is a way to challenge yourself to be better. I know I didn't go to bed thinner and wake up the chunk munk I am today. I know this is going to take time and effort. Like my title states, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was I. I am laying a foundation of good health and the rest will fall into place.

"Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them. " ~Lee Haney