It's on there because BouBou and I are DONE with a clean-eating challenge called, you guessed it, The Whole30. For 30 days, starting May 1, we ate 100% clean. That means no added sugar, no grains, no dairy, no legumes, no soy, no nightshades, for 30 days.
I was skeptical at first. But, my weight had plateaued (I was still getting smaller, but just swapped fat for muscle), we got back from our Easter jaunt feeling like fatties, and we knew it was time to get back to the basics of clean eating.
In the past months, I've lost nine pounds, and I'm two sizes smaller than I was at the beginning. In January, when I started Crossfit and The Zone, I was a snug size 12 and had been for years. Sometimes a 14. Now I'm a tight and toned 10, and at some stores I'm wearing an 8. I still can't believe it. I've never been an 8, and I haven't been a 10 since I think 8th grade or freshman year of high school. My ultimate goal is a 6. Why 6? I don't know. It sounds good. None of my clothes fit anymore. My dresses hang like drapes off of me, I constantly tug at my pants (luckily I scored a pair of bearable pants at Old Navy for $9 a few weeks back. They were tight when I got them. Now they are loose), my shirts sag, and even my undies are having a hard time staying put. I am a new woman. What's more, BouBou is a new man. We loved the Whole30 challenge, and I highly recommend it.
Last night ended our challenge, so to celebrate our hard work, we ate some BlueBell ice cream and cupcakes from Crave. WORST DECISION EVER. I will treat myself from now on by NOT eating those things. Both of us have such horrible sugar hangovers today. I have learned my lesson that sugar is a drug I do not want in my body.
I love the Paleo diet. I feel healthy, strong, my body is morphing into this lean and toned machine in a matter of weeks, and I am vibrant, full of life. My acne is totally gone. I can complete physical tasks I never could before. I'm faster and stronger at CrossFit. This diet is helping me reach goals I've literally had since junior high, but have never had the knowledge, tools, or discipline to obtain. Truly it has been an answer to lifelong prayer.
Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants clearly states that grains are to be "the staff of life," and a few people have asked me how I can justify eating Paleo. A less than common definition of "staff" is "something that serves as a staple or support." The Word of Wisdom outlines daily living and nutrition that will also keep us free from disease, give us energy, and bless us with the assurance of keeping divine commandments. Most Americans consume dirty grains, the kind that are bleached, processed and milled to death until they become blood-spiking toxins that give no nutritional benefit and will leave eaters craving more. The kind of grains I believe are "the staff of life" are clean, untouched and quality. When I have reached my fat loss goals, I plan on incorporating these staples back into my diet.
I just finished reading thist book, which is EXCELLENT by the way, and no we are not expecting. Now I really want to read this book. I am so fascinated by this topic of nutrition and optimal physical performance right now.
As I've commented to my one true love Jeff/BouBou, my entire life I've felt physically inadequate and incapable of athleticism and finesse. Because of CrossFit and clean eating, I've discovered the remarkable creation my body is, and how much more spiritually alive I feel when I'm taking care of my personal temple.
I never thought I could feel such a strong testimony of this topic, but I do!
Mom, Dad and Robert came into town this weekend to drive the Rat back to Utah. Did I mention Jeff and I got a new car back in March? A Ford Fiesta hatchback. I absolutely love it and I'm so glad to drive a car from this decade (the Rat is a 2000 model; so is my old Echo). I wish I had pictures of them being here this weekend, because we had a great time!! They flew in Friday. Dad and Robert left Saturday for Utah, and Mom and I drove up to Tyler to be with Becky and the kids for the weekend. It was fun. I love playing with my sweet nephew Trevor and I wish I could take him home with me. He is a love.
I drove back Sunday night so Jeff and I could hit the beach yesterday with our friends, the Brabazons, who are stealing their sweet daughters away from us to move to Washington state. I am used to beaches like this:
or this:
But what we got was this:
50 feet of washed-up seaweed, no open sand. I've never been so disappointed in my life. The highlight of the day was when BouBou got up on a surfboard and rode it in probably 40 feet. That was pretty cool. Otherwise, I will not be wasting my time with Texas beaches anymore. It's going to take lots of scrubbing to get the sea salt off the Fiesta too.
Houston just keeps giving and giving!
