Clean Start

Happy Friday!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I’ve been trying to decide what direction I want to take with this blog.

Since my trip to India I’ve felt a little like nothing else I write matters as much as that two week experience.

But I realize that there are a lot of things going on here at home, in my life and the lives of my family and friends that are just as special and important that deserve to be memorialized, shared or exposed for their educational, entertaining or nonsensical value!

Just recently I started writing a column for The University of Akron’s student newspaper, The Buchtelite. I’ve never written for a newspaper before but it is giving me a “professional” outlet for my writing and I’m getting a little thrill out of seeing my writing published on something other than the internet. To me it is rewarding and justifies, even if in the smallest way, the time that I put into writing and researching. If you haven’t seen the column, check it out! Let me know what you think. My first three are below:

First Column     Second Column     Third Column

As some of you know (based on my last column or talking to me personally) I’ve started on somewhat of a lifestyle change. I don’t want to say “diet” because that invokes feelings of disdain and competition. What I’m doing will hopefully lead to a healthier, less stressful version of my life. Because of various factors I’ve struggled with my weight and like many women, I have a hard time accepting that my size is what my size will always be. So I decided to participate in Advanced Performance Crossfit’s 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge.

Back in October I took advantage of a Groupon offer for Crossfit classes. My super sweet friends Alwynn and Bethany, signed up with me. Crossfit is a super intense style of workout based on functional movement and building a stronger body for life, not just for show. Crossfitters advocate the Paleo/ Caveman style of eating which is what the 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge is based on. The Paleo plan consists of lean meats and proteins, lots of vegetables, tree nuts and seeds, some fruit, a little starch. Nothing processed, nothing with refined sugars, no frozen meals, etc. However, for the Challenge, we were allowed one good dairy (think plain Greek yogurt) and one whole grain (brown rice or Ezekiel bread, etc). So I went for it.

Next week is the last week of the challenge. Since the start of the 30 days I’ve done pretty well about sticking to the plan. I’ve allowed myself the cheat day for Thanksgiving—I mean who could honestly pass up my mom’s pies! But aside from that, I’ve been pretty good about avoiding carbs, dairy and processed food. I cut out popcorn—my FAVORITE snack food and I haven’t eaten a whole wheel of Brie in a long time. But it’s been HARD.

The first forty eight hours I was a complete nightmare. I wanted carbs and I wanted them bad.

But then it passed. I’ve been taking in at least 64 oz of water every day. I keep track to make sure. And I gave up my vegetarian ways and reintroduced red meat to my plate. Chicken still grosses me out. I eat cauliflower and eggs, burgers without the bun and salads like they’re going out of style. And I feel great. This change in my daily habits has helped me shed eight pounds overall and I haven’t gained anything back from week to week. In the past I’ve been able to drop weight and then fluctuate up and down but I’ve remained consistently down. Some weeks I haven’t lost anything but I haven’t gained either and that to me is a victory. And I’m shedding inches too. Slowly. But inches nonetheless.

Yes, I have days (like yesterday) where I don’t eat clean and stuff my face with some bread and cheese but as I’m taking my umpteenth bite of Crostini I remember, it’s a lifestyle change and it takes time and there are always challenges. I’m not going to deprive myself but I’m going to be more conscious going forward. So then I put the slice down and drink some more water.

If you’re headed into the holiday season with fears of what it will do to your waist line, I would encourage you to read about the Paleo approach and try out Crossfit. It’s not easy but after the first few days I could tell it was worth it. I feel better and you can too.