Yesterday I went to a Paleo Nutrition Seminar at my gym- Crossfit Inspire in Frasier, PA www.crossfitinspire.com- and was very motivated to get started on my diet. My goal weight is 125. I normally weight around 130-135. I weighed in at 142 and 20.3% body fat.
Needless to say, I was a little disappointed. Taking ownership is key when you are ready to make some changes and I am taking ownership of every morsel of delicious food I have eaten. So here I am, ready to get some pounds off and happy that I caught myself before things got really out of hand. Although, I don't think I really minded the extra pounds too much because my boobs got bigger.
My strategy is based off of the Paleo Diet. There are tons of great websites to google and get more information on it. The basic tenets are:
EAT: Fruits, Veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, olive oil, coconut oil, honey and meat (grass fed and organic is best)
NO: Dairy, grains, refined sugars, agave nectar, etc.
For my plan, I am going meats and veggies for the first two weeks. I am in a contest and I really want to jump start my weight loss and fat loss. For anyone else, especially those new to the lifestyle, I would include fruits, nuts, and seeds since you are not in a contest and looking to make a lifestyle change.
Now that you have the diet down, exercise is another key component. Five days a week for at least 30 minutes. Finding something you love is key. Crossfit works for me. I have to force myself to take rest days because I love it so much. It's the best thing I've found (and I've tried it all) that gets insane results and can be modified for ANYONE of ANY SIZE. Find things that work for you. Zumba classes, hiking, pushing strollers up and down hills. What I would recommend is if you are not lifting weights, you need to start. Muscle=lean sexy bods that burn more calories at rest. Get more of it.
BUT I AM SO BUSY!!!! Bullshit. I am a mom, wife, and a full time doctoral student and I manage to make it to the gym almost everyday. Stop making excuses and get your ass moving. Even if you do push ups, sit ups, and squats while your favorite show is at a commercial. Jump rope for 20 minutes every day. Exercise is the key to more energy. You want to feel better, get moving.
I know you guys hate me right now, but you want results, right??? Who's on board!?!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Jane on a diet
I have a confession to make: Optimal Health Mama has been the Optimal Feeding Frenzy Mama for the past month. I now need to knock it off. I have gained some weight and I need to get my shit together before it gets out of hand.
Thankfully, Crossfit Inspire is having a body fat/weight loss competition that starts tomorrow after a nutritional seminar. I am always a down ass bitch when there is a month of free Crossfit on the line. I am going to be following the recommended nutritional plan that this dude convinces me to try and hopefully get rid of these pounds. As I go, I am going to share strategies and hopefully we can all drop a few before the holidays.
Here are two things that are easy to implement right off the bat: Drink your body weight in water and no eating after 6 p.m.
I bought a severely slutty Halloween costume, so I need to look svelte and sexy not frumpy and dumpy so I'm hoping to get some quick results. Alright loves...are you ready???? Because it's so on!!!!
Thankfully, Crossfit Inspire is having a body fat/weight loss competition that starts tomorrow after a nutritional seminar. I am always a down ass bitch when there is a month of free Crossfit on the line. I am going to be following the recommended nutritional plan that this dude convinces me to try and hopefully get rid of these pounds. As I go, I am going to share strategies and hopefully we can all drop a few before the holidays.
Here are two things that are easy to implement right off the bat: Drink your body weight in water and no eating after 6 p.m.
I bought a severely slutty Halloween costume, so I need to look svelte and sexy not frumpy and dumpy so I'm hoping to get some quick results. Alright loves...are you ready???? Because it's so on!!!!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Balance
Are you guys really that bored at work that you want me to write more blogs??? Alright, here we go.
I am a highly competitive person. What I lack in intelligence and talent, I have learned to make up for with hard work. So when someone says: I ate 30 bananas a day and can run 40 miles without breaking a sweat, I'm thinking to myself, "Let's Do THIS BITCH!!!! I'M IN! If you can do it. I can do it too."
Sometimes I wonder my competitive nature is a friend or foe. It COULD be said that I lack balance (NAH). But the good thing about someone who is competitive with a good work ethic is that I am willing to work to find balance. I am willing to work to find what works for me. I am willing to try anything to get there (even a 3,000 calorie fruit diet).
When I last wrote, I talked about the 80-10-10 diet. NOT FOR ME. I lasted a few days and was a hot mess. I can see how people really thrive eating this way, but I am not one of them. This was NOT balanced for me. Too much fruit, not enough veggies,not enough protein and not enough fat for me.
Next move was I started incorporating meat and a little dairy back into my diet. Of course there was no balance there. My ass was at Station Taproom eating wings within days. I started eating too much meat and was not feeling in optimal balance.
So here I am, 6 pounds heavier (6.5 but I round down NO MATTER WHAT) and exhausted of thinking about food. I like eating raw and vegan, but I love to cook and make food for my family and eat dinner together. They are so NOT raw vegans nor do I expect them to be.
Mental Note 1: Eating tons of fruits and veggies is good, but not eating anything else is NOT fun.
Mental Note 2: It is NOT fun to make a beautiful dinner, not eat it, and then drink your 3rd brown rice protein powder smoothie of the day with your crew. BOO. Not balanced.
Mental Note 3: It is NOT fun to eat entirely too much meat, feel like your skin is gray and that you took out a farm on your own this week.
Okay. So where do we go from here. You know neurotic, competitive Jane has a plan. I am NOT cutting out meat, fruits, or vegetables. I am going to BALANCE (say it with me...BALANCE) my diet.
My plan thus far is to eat 2 raw meals and cook dinner with meat, veggies, etc. for my family and eat it with them. Sounds pretty simple and healthy AND balanced. It is the advice I give to people who are starting out high raw. Now let's see if I can do it ;0)
Will try to keep you posted but I'm having trouble BALANCING this blog with MIDTERMS.
I am a highly competitive person. What I lack in intelligence and talent, I have learned to make up for with hard work. So when someone says: I ate 30 bananas a day and can run 40 miles without breaking a sweat, I'm thinking to myself, "Let's Do THIS BITCH!!!! I'M IN! If you can do it. I can do it too."
Sometimes I wonder my competitive nature is a friend or foe. It COULD be said that I lack balance (NAH). But the good thing about someone who is competitive with a good work ethic is that I am willing to work to find balance. I am willing to work to find what works for me. I am willing to try anything to get there (even a 3,000 calorie fruit diet).
When I last wrote, I talked about the 80-10-10 diet. NOT FOR ME. I lasted a few days and was a hot mess. I can see how people really thrive eating this way, but I am not one of them. This was NOT balanced for me. Too much fruit, not enough veggies,not enough protein and not enough fat for me.
Next move was I started incorporating meat and a little dairy back into my diet. Of course there was no balance there. My ass was at Station Taproom eating wings within days. I started eating too much meat and was not feeling in optimal balance.
So here I am, 6 pounds heavier (6.5 but I round down NO MATTER WHAT) and exhausted of thinking about food. I like eating raw and vegan, but I love to cook and make food for my family and eat dinner together. They are so NOT raw vegans nor do I expect them to be.
Mental Note 1: Eating tons of fruits and veggies is good, but not eating anything else is NOT fun.
Mental Note 2: It is NOT fun to make a beautiful dinner, not eat it, and then drink your 3rd brown rice protein powder smoothie of the day with your crew. BOO. Not balanced.
Mental Note 3: It is NOT fun to eat entirely too much meat, feel like your skin is gray and that you took out a farm on your own this week.
Okay. So where do we go from here. You know neurotic, competitive Jane has a plan. I am NOT cutting out meat, fruits, or vegetables. I am going to BALANCE (say it with me...BALANCE) my diet.
My plan thus far is to eat 2 raw meals and cook dinner with meat, veggies, etc. for my family and eat it with them. Sounds pretty simple and healthy AND balanced. It is the advice I give to people who are starting out high raw. Now let's see if I can do it ;0)
Will try to keep you posted but I'm having trouble BALANCING this blog with MIDTERMS.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
80-10-10 Update
I've been following the 80-10-10 diet for the past seven days. I'm pleasantly surprised with the results. I feel really good, have more energy for my workouts (even putting in 2 a days), and am feeling full. I had to force myself to take a rest day today. By refining my eating habits even more, I managed to push through some meat cravings and come out on the other side (for now).
There have been a couple of days where I've added a bit more fat or a bit more protein than recommended because I am still pretty new to these protein/fat/carb ratios. I am feeling things out and figuring out the amounts- like about how much fat is 10% and that a little bit goes a long way. I didn't realize just how much fat I had been eating! Wowzers. Holy avocado, nuts, and seeds bitches!
In terms of digestion, I'm feeling much, much better. I am getting more than enough to eat. Experts on this way of eating encourage you to count calories- only to make sure you are eating enough- and bunk the idea of overeating. This idea really hit me. As someone who has been known to overeat on occasion (daily), I really respond well to this idea of inclusion as opposed to exclusion. A lot of my overeating behaviors revolve around rebellion. It sucks to try to limit calories and count this and that. I just get a case of the fuck its and eat a whole pint of coconut milk ice cream. It isn't that I need to eat an entire pint to feel full or satisfied or like I had a treat, but I like to give diets a big eF you to keep the balance of power in check.
I'm pretty happy with my weight right now, but I wouldn't cry if I dropped 5 pounds either. Before trying 80-10-10, I have been able to maintain my weight and muscle mass, but I haven't been dropping pounds or body fat. Over the past 7 days, I've lost 2 pounds pretty effortlessly and even lost a little body fat. By effortlessly, I mean eating upwards of 7 bananas (I love bananas!) in a day and my calories are up around 2,300. Before, trying to lose weight (even on high raw vegan) meant a lot of restriction (1500 calories a day and lots of work outs). It is such a difference going to the cronometer and seeing that I still have 1,000 calories alloted for the day!
I'm still a little concerned about variety and maintaining my energy levels/muscle mass long term, but so far 80-10-10 is working out pretty well. On to week 2!!!!
There have been a couple of days where I've added a bit more fat or a bit more protein than recommended because I am still pretty new to these protein/fat/carb ratios. I am feeling things out and figuring out the amounts- like about how much fat is 10% and that a little bit goes a long way. I didn't realize just how much fat I had been eating! Wowzers. Holy avocado, nuts, and seeds bitches!
In terms of digestion, I'm feeling much, much better. I am getting more than enough to eat. Experts on this way of eating encourage you to count calories- only to make sure you are eating enough- and bunk the idea of overeating. This idea really hit me. As someone who has been known to overeat on occasion (daily), I really respond well to this idea of inclusion as opposed to exclusion. A lot of my overeating behaviors revolve around rebellion. It sucks to try to limit calories and count this and that. I just get a case of the fuck its and eat a whole pint of coconut milk ice cream. It isn't that I need to eat an entire pint to feel full or satisfied or like I had a treat, but I like to give diets a big eF you to keep the balance of power in check.
I'm pretty happy with my weight right now, but I wouldn't cry if I dropped 5 pounds either. Before trying 80-10-10, I have been able to maintain my weight and muscle mass, but I haven't been dropping pounds or body fat. Over the past 7 days, I've lost 2 pounds pretty effortlessly and even lost a little body fat. By effortlessly, I mean eating upwards of 7 bananas (I love bananas!) in a day and my calories are up around 2,300. Before, trying to lose weight (even on high raw vegan) meant a lot of restriction (1500 calories a day and lots of work outs). It is such a difference going to the cronometer and seeing that I still have 1,000 calories alloted for the day!
I'm still a little concerned about variety and maintaining my energy levels/muscle mass long term, but so far 80-10-10 is working out pretty well. On to week 2!!!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Day 2 of 80-10-10
Well, I have to say, so far so good. I thought for sure with all of the fruit sugar I was eating that my blood sugar would be up and down in crazy shifts and that I would be acting like a psycho in accordance. Not so much.
The only issue I noticed yesterday is that I am not hitting close to the recommended 3,000 calories. I am stuffed. Totally stuffed. I used a tool called the Cron O Meter that calculates all of your nutrients and I was shocked at how many 100% RDA's I am hitting by eating this way. I am taking a multi-vitamin too, but even without it, I got a crazy amount of nutrients.
Protein was the biggest shocker. Yesterday I overdid the recommended protein amount by A LOT because I grossly underestimated the protein in fruits and veggies. I made myself a protein smoothie (only 30 g of protein) thinking that it would put me right were I needed to be (30 g), but I almost doubled that amount in fruits and veggies alone.
Here is my favorite recipe so far. I just finished eating it and it is so simple and delicious.
2 c. spinach
1 cantaloupe cut into pieces (the whole thing)
some himalayan (or sea) salt to taste
(salt is probably a no-no, but honey badger doesn't give a shit)
Breakfast- Four bananas cut up and sprinkled with cinnamon
Lunch- 10 Medjool dates, 7 deglate dates 1 banana (trying to get the calories up in this meal)
Afternoon Dinner- Listed above
3-4 liters of water throughout the day
So far I am at about 1,600 calories for the day. I'm hoping I will be able to eat at least another 1,000.
Weird things that the raw hippies said would happen that happened so far
1. That you would go to bed bloated as hell and wake up unbelievable light.
True. It happened. I went to bed thinking, "those fuckers can kiss my ass, I look like I'm three months pregnant." Woke up eating my curse words.
2. I read about this after it happened: They said you don't have to worry about overeating because the fruit will start to taste sour or weird when you've had enough. It totally happened. I was 1/2 way finished with my fourth banana this morning and I thought, "hmmm...this is starting to taste weird. I guess it wasn't ripe enough or something." Same happened with the dates and the cantaloupe. When I was done, I was done and I knew it.
Our bodies are pretty freaking cool, aren't they????
The only issue I noticed yesterday is that I am not hitting close to the recommended 3,000 calories. I am stuffed. Totally stuffed. I used a tool called the Cron O Meter that calculates all of your nutrients and I was shocked at how many 100% RDA's I am hitting by eating this way. I am taking a multi-vitamin too, but even without it, I got a crazy amount of nutrients.
Protein was the biggest shocker. Yesterday I overdid the recommended protein amount by A LOT because I grossly underestimated the protein in fruits and veggies. I made myself a protein smoothie (only 30 g of protein) thinking that it would put me right were I needed to be (30 g), but I almost doubled that amount in fruits and veggies alone.
Here is my favorite recipe so far. I just finished eating it and it is so simple and delicious.
2 c. spinach
1 cantaloupe cut into pieces (the whole thing)
some himalayan (or sea) salt to taste
(salt is probably a no-no, but honey badger doesn't give a shit)
Breakfast- Four bananas cut up and sprinkled with cinnamon
Lunch- 10 Medjool dates, 7 deglate dates 1 banana (trying to get the calories up in this meal)
Afternoon Dinner- Listed above
3-4 liters of water throughout the day
So far I am at about 1,600 calories for the day. I'm hoping I will be able to eat at least another 1,000.
Weird things that the raw hippies said would happen that happened so far
1. That you would go to bed bloated as hell and wake up unbelievable light.
True. It happened. I went to bed thinking, "those fuckers can kiss my ass, I look like I'm three months pregnant." Woke up eating my curse words.
2. I read about this after it happened: They said you don't have to worry about overeating because the fruit will start to taste sour or weird when you've had enough. It totally happened. I was 1/2 way finished with my fourth banana this morning and I thought, "hmmm...this is starting to taste weird. I guess it wasn't ripe enough or something." Same happened with the dates and the cantaloupe. When I was done, I was done and I knew it.
Our bodies are pretty freaking cool, aren't they????
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The next level
Alright, get ready. If you thought I was nuts before, you are going to think I'm off my fucking rocker now.
Backtracking- as most of you have probably noticed from my previous blogging, I do the vegan/high raw thing for a few months, hit a wall, go back to eating meat, berate myself, and then go back to vegan/high raw.
When I hit my "meat wall" (going to have a field day with that new phrase) I talked it out with my therapist/husband, Nate and managed to push through feeling a new dedication and commitment to keeping on my high raw/vegan path. A couple of things I observed in my couch therapy sessions was that I was eating too much fat which is a digestive nightmare for me, eating too much vegan junk food (chips and salsa, coconut milk icecream, etc. not enough greens and fruits), and I missed actually eating considering I blend most of my meals. Plus I had to look at what I really, really want. I really want to be a vegan. Meat tastes delicious, but my heart is in veganism.
In pushing through my wall, I decided to push back. Instead of backlashing, I am going to forward thrash. I have been reading about the 80-10-10 eating plan for years now and have always looked at it as freaking crazy, but apparently it is ideal for athletes and ramps up performance like a mother efer. Well, since I love crazy, and I love a good old fashioned science experiment on myself, I'm going for it. I am going to do it for the next 30 days. 80-10-10 means you eat 80% carbs (mainly from fruit), 10% protein (greens/brown rice protein powder), and 10% fat (avocados, nuts and seeds).
People report mental clarity, feelings of extreme energy and euphoria (the skeptic in me says sugar high), weight balance (gaining if you need to gain, losing if you need to lose), and improvement in athletics. Best case scenario, I'm running marathons; Worst case scenario, after 30 days I look like a sugar high super model.
Here is what I'm supposed to be eating: 3,000 calories total (30 g protein, 30 g fat (or less)). How the hell am I going to do this??? One word bitches: Bananas. Shittons of bananas. Probably 10 a day to get sufficient calories. And I quite possibly may be bananas, but I'm willing to try anything once.
Here's what I ate so far today:
2 bananas - preworkout
Protein smoothie (my entire 30 grams in one shot- normally I consume 3x this much protein)
I'm looking to hit some green smoothies later, and snack on some bananas. I might make a smoothie with frozen bananas, frozen cherries, and frozen peaches, but who knows. So far, I'm full, put in a good work out and am feeling pretty good mentally. I am back in school, so I may not report how I'm feeling/what I'm eating every day, but I will do my best to keep you updated.
Love and insanity in September!!!!!
Backtracking- as most of you have probably noticed from my previous blogging, I do the vegan/high raw thing for a few months, hit a wall, go back to eating meat, berate myself, and then go back to vegan/high raw.
When I hit my "meat wall" (going to have a field day with that new phrase) I talked it out with my therapist/husband, Nate and managed to push through feeling a new dedication and commitment to keeping on my high raw/vegan path. A couple of things I observed in my couch therapy sessions was that I was eating too much fat which is a digestive nightmare for me, eating too much vegan junk food (chips and salsa, coconut milk icecream, etc. not enough greens and fruits), and I missed actually eating considering I blend most of my meals. Plus I had to look at what I really, really want. I really want to be a vegan. Meat tastes delicious, but my heart is in veganism.
In pushing through my wall, I decided to push back. Instead of backlashing, I am going to forward thrash. I have been reading about the 80-10-10 eating plan for years now and have always looked at it as freaking crazy, but apparently it is ideal for athletes and ramps up performance like a mother efer. Well, since I love crazy, and I love a good old fashioned science experiment on myself, I'm going for it. I am going to do it for the next 30 days. 80-10-10 means you eat 80% carbs (mainly from fruit), 10% protein (greens/brown rice protein powder), and 10% fat (avocados, nuts and seeds).
People report mental clarity, feelings of extreme energy and euphoria (the skeptic in me says sugar high), weight balance (gaining if you need to gain, losing if you need to lose), and improvement in athletics. Best case scenario, I'm running marathons; Worst case scenario, after 30 days I look like a sugar high super model.
Here is what I'm supposed to be eating: 3,000 calories total (30 g protein, 30 g fat (or less)). How the hell am I going to do this??? One word bitches: Bananas. Shittons of bananas. Probably 10 a day to get sufficient calories. And I quite possibly may be bananas, but I'm willing to try anything once.
Here's what I ate so far today:
2 bananas - preworkout
Protein smoothie (my entire 30 grams in one shot- normally I consume 3x this much protein)
I'm looking to hit some green smoothies later, and snack on some bananas. I might make a smoothie with frozen bananas, frozen cherries, and frozen peaches, but who knows. So far, I'm full, put in a good work out and am feeling pretty good mentally. I am back in school, so I may not report how I'm feeling/what I'm eating every day, but I will do my best to keep you updated.
Love and insanity in September!!!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Natural Deodorant
Since school doesn't start again until Monday, I have a little extra time for science experiments in my kitchen. I stumbled across this blog link a long time ago and it has always been my intention to try this recipe for natural deodorant:
http://www.therawdivas.com/blog/2011/01/how-to-make-your-own-natural-deodorant/
It was really simple and is currently setting in my fridge, but I am not hopeful. All of my natural deodorant exploration has led me back to Secret time and time again. My body odor is always more powerful than what the hippies have to offer. Plus, I'm a mom. I'm a mom who exercises and I don't always have time to take showers. Usually a natural deodorant doesn't make it past my a.m. Crossfit class, let alone the rest of my day. I will keep you guys posted on how it goes. My apologies in advance to those I may stink around for the next few days.
http://www.therawdivas.com/blog/2011/01/how-to-make-your-own-natural-deodorant/
It was really simple and is currently setting in my fridge, but I am not hopeful. All of my natural deodorant exploration has led me back to Secret time and time again. My body odor is always more powerful than what the hippies have to offer. Plus, I'm a mom. I'm a mom who exercises and I don't always have time to take showers. Usually a natural deodorant doesn't make it past my a.m. Crossfit class, let alone the rest of my day. I will keep you guys posted on how it goes. My apologies in advance to those I may stink around for the next few days.
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