Some Early Battles

Haven’t written anything in a while.  Something about the fact that I know nobody is reading this yet made me less excited to write a post.  Also, I’ll admit that I actually started the blog in September but originally wanted to “backfill” with posts to August because that is when I actually started my new journey.  So, rather than just starting to write in the present, I felt like I had to catch everyone up to speed about the prior month.  Of course, nobody is out there reading this yet, so, who was I kidding (myself).  Obviously, that’s not the way to start a new blog.  So, I’m going to forget about filling in the details between mid-August and now (October 15 … I swear) other than the following paragraph.

My new Paleo life started off great.  Well, that’s how I roll.  I tend to go all-in on something like this without any problem (it’s the sticking with it over time that is difficult).  So, my pantry is filled with various coconut oils and butters.  My fridge is full of wonderful grass-fed beef, pastured eggs and tons of organic vegetables.  My cupboards are filled with new cookbooks and kitchen tools.  And there are two new — but perfectly seasoned — cast iron skillets on my stovetop.  I began logging everything I ate on LoseIt.com and as of today, I haven’t missed one day since August 22nd.  I also track my weight and have joined a few challenges and a Paleo group called “Team Caveman” on that site too.  All good stuff.  But of course, you ask, have I lost weight?  Do I feel better?

Absolutely!  As of this morning, I’ve lost slightly more than 20 lbs. (or approximately 2.5 each week although the bulk of that loss came in the first two weeks and was mostly “water weight” as people say).  I’m currently down about 35 lbs. from my all time high earlier in the summer.  I don’t think I look all that different in the mirror, but, I have gotten a few compliments already from friends who have noticed.  That’s very encouraging of course.  Most critical though is that I feel better!  Much better.  I’m not having these “carb-flush” feelings that I used to have.  I feel tons of energy that I haven’t felt in a long time.  I’m going to the gym at least three times each week so far and try to walk a couple of miles on one or two other days as well.  I’m sleeping much better and find myself ready for bed and drifting off easily at a respectable time now.  I used to watch TV or listen to a radio program for several hours before finally collapsing into restless slumber.

In short, things are moving in the right direction and I feel like this time, I really will succeed.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve already hit a few stumbling blocks.

For example, this was not a very good weekend for me, but, I’m admitting it publically as a form of self-shame and record keeping so I get myself back on the right track again immediately and try to learn from my mistakes.  No excuse for it this time.  The only other time I went completely “off program” since August was when I was sick and craving comfort food about a month ago.  I’ll write about that in another log sometime, but, being sick just made me crave carbs.  Very interesting.

This time:

1) I just let things slip a tiny bit on Friday night: I had cooked a perfectly paleo dinner for myself and friends, but then had a couple bites of a sugary apple crisp dessert that was brought to our house.

2) Saturday night got a bit worse with too many cocktails followed by ice cream for dessert. And then,

3) Sunday became an all out, well, I screwed up two nights already this weekend….why not have one full day of eat-whatever-I-used-to-eat. Idiotic. Funny thing was, I didn’t even really enjoy it. Had a couple pieces of pizza which were not as amazing as I thought they would be, and, had more ice cream which I ate just because it was in the house.

Plus, I felt physically bad last night (exhaustion set in and I had to go to bed early), and, emotionally down today of course.

Valuable lessons learned.