Daily-O Paleo

So today Jacob and I are joining the Whole30/Paleo craze. For us, it's more then a craze, however. We both want to start feeling better about ourself and start feeling better in general. We both are decent at eating well and I'm good at going to the gym but something isn't working so we're seeking help.

The book we are using as a guide.

I'm actually really excited about this. I know it's going to be tough and I'll have bad days but I'm excited for the challenge. I think it'll give me the push I need. 

We're going grocery shopping for it today. Over the weekend, we bought a bunch of awesome kitchen organizers so we're fully prepared and tossed out/donated the food that isn't part of our new life. Let's just say our shelves are pretty freaking bare!

And lucky you, you get to read all about it! I'm going to post once a week the foods I ate and how I feel. I think it'll be a good check and balance system for me, ya know? And if anyone has tried this or lives this way already, any pointers and suggestions are welcome!

I've also decided it's a good time to set some goals for this time:

-Enhance my positive attitude: I have a hard time being positive, I know that. But I'm doing everything I can to keep this in a positive light. Instead of saying I "can't" have bread, I say to myself that I "won't" or that I "choose" not to have bread. "Can't" is such a negative word.

-Feel better: I think I've been blessed to inherit some family food allergies. I'm hoping that with Paleo that I'll be able to start to physically feel better, not just look better.

-Connect/bond with Jacob: While we have a pretty awesome and solid relationship already, I see no harm in deepening that connection and getting to a new level. And I know something like this, a life change, will bring us closer together. I think it will strengthen our support for each other.

-Raise self esteem: Yes, loosing weight is at the top of my "How to feel better about yourself" guide but I think if my body starts to feel better combined with my jeans feeling a little less tight, that'll help me raise my self esteem.

Ultimately, I'm in this to support myself, support my man and start to feel better. Wish me luck!

My new motto!

Happy Valentine's Day--2013

Today is Valentine's Day and I like it. I like this holiday because I love love. This week I spent a lot of time making treats for my coworkers, the dancer's at the school and Jake. I made truffles, chocolate covered pretzels and rice krispie treats. It was so much fun!

Making truffles!

But now I'm sitting here, on the actual day, and I have like the worst tummy ache. Ug.

Next month is an exciting month for me. Jake mentioned starting something called Whole30 and, after discussing it a lot and looking into more details, we've decided to see how we can make the Whole30/paleo idea part of our everyday life.

As I've discussed before, working out, being healthy and eating well are really important things in my life. But occasionally, I have a hard time sticking to my ideas and plans. I think my life now causes me to eat as a comfort, as a way to hang out with people and as a way to spend time. But I have literally had enough. I have a problem with eating and I want to control it.

So we bought a great book and I've been doing extensive reading on the subject. I am so excited to start the paleo diet! Honestly, I hate using the word "diet" because for a lot of people, including myself, it stimulates thoughts about restrictions and "can't have" and being bad but I'm trying something new. I'm trying to look at it like a good thing! I think trying this out will help me feel physically better and will give me that confidence that I need!

A few years ago, I lost a ton of weight for a work weight loss challenge. While I didn't reach 2nd place and my goal weight in a completely healthy way, I found it easy to do so because I was being challenged by someone. I think that drive was good for me.

I'm hoping to bring that challenge with me as I challenge myself to be happy and healthy...it also helps that I'm going to a rave in Vegas in June and really want to be comfortable in my body!

So next month starts a better, healthier, happier me! I really want to get started ASAP but literally the day we decided to go for it was the day we went grocery shopping and bought a bunch of stuff and I don't want to waste it. I'm really excited, you guys, like really excited.

I'm going to be keeping a blog/journal about what I eat, how it makes me feel, how I'm coping with the process and all my thoughts in between. I think it's going to be good.