
In 2012, I embarked on a Paleo/Crossfit 30 day challenge. Since then, I have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and am now beginning the Focus T25 program. I had very successful results with my 2012 challenge but there's no way my body today could handle the intensity of a crossfit workout so I have chosen the Focus T25 modified plan and after I complete this program, I will compare both challenges.
Scroll down to read the roundup of Day 12-30 of my Paleo/Crossfit Challenge
Click here to begin with Day 1 of my Paleo/Crossfit Challenge
Click here to read Day 1 of my Focus T25 Challenge
Day 12-30
Ok... So I took a different approach to writing this blog post. Instead of giving you my daily recipes for the next 18 days, which can easily be found through any quick google search, I decided to finish the 30-day challenge and wait a couple weeks before writing a finale post. There is an important reason for this...
How many times have you tried a new diet, only to go off the diet and way too quickly, gain all the weight back? Well that was the ultimate goal here, to find out what happens AFTER the 30-days of this no-carb, no sugar diet and exercise program is complete.
Here's the skinny: You will get out of it, what you put into it! And that's the bottom line.
As usual, life got in the way and I slipped from making this 30-day challenge my #1 priority. After 22 days, I cracked. The kids, the two jobs, the housework, the yardwork, the errands, the bill paying, the family functions... this is the 'life' that got in the way. I didn't give myself the proper time to prepare meals in advance, and when my hair began falling out, excessively, I took it upon myself to eat a cheeseburger. A burger with a BUN, CHEESE, MAYO and KETCHUP! And although I am certainly not trying to deter you from trying this challenge for yourself and working towards a healthier lifestyle, I am still writing the honest truth, so I will tell you that the burger was a MAJOR party in my mouth! No worries regarding the hair loss, I talked with my nutritionist and, because I chose to eat nothing instead of the non-paleo food choices, my body was lacking certain vitamins, such as iron and others, which can cause hair loss. I'm far from bald... it was just a mild side effect that was actually a blessing because it made me take notice of what my body was lacking. Without the proper nutrients, my 30-day challenge to a healthier life was pretty much null and void.
After eating that 'delish' burger, I did return to my paleo program for the rest of the 30 days. On day 31, and every day since, I make a conscious effort to take notice of what I am feeding my body. Yes, I eat carbs and sugar, but because of this program, my choices are FAR better than ever before. My carb and sugar intake is at a minimum. Want a perfect example? While dining at one of my favorite italian restaurants, I chose to order their fabulous chicken ceasar salad, rather than my favorite dish, which is fettucini alfredo.
I mentioned in an earlier post that my digestive track felt like it was in perfect working order after only about a week on this paleo and fitness program. After the challenge, I slowly began putting the foods back into my diet that I had missed so much. Words just fail me when I try to explain the gutt wrenching pain in my stomach after eating the breads, the pastas, the butter, etc. Although I am not living a full paleo lifestyle, I did just recently order paleo bread and paleo friendly snacks, in order to curb my craving and not suffer the consequences of dietary disaster in the gutt.
In regards to my crossfit training, I can only say that when life gets in the way, and I don't make the time to spend that hour or less at the gym, the noticeable difference in the way my clothes fit and how I view myself in the mirror is utterly saddening. Like I said, you will get out of it what you put into it.
All in all, my challenge was a huge success. Not only in the weight loss, but in the ultimate goal to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and re-program my brain to make better choices and detox from my carb addiction.
Learn my stats and weight loss results here.
Scroll down to read the roundup of Day 12-30 of my Paleo/Crossfit Challenge
Click here to begin with Day 1 of my Paleo/Crossfit Challenge
Click here to read Day 1 of my Focus T25 Challenge
Day 12-30
Ok... So I took a different approach to writing this blog post. Instead of giving you my daily recipes for the next 18 days, which can easily be found through any quick google search, I decided to finish the 30-day challenge and wait a couple weeks before writing a finale post. There is an important reason for this...
How many times have you tried a new diet, only to go off the diet and way too quickly, gain all the weight back? Well that was the ultimate goal here, to find out what happens AFTER the 30-days of this no-carb, no sugar diet and exercise program is complete.
Here's the skinny: You will get out of it, what you put into it! And that's the bottom line.
As usual, life got in the way and I slipped from making this 30-day challenge my #1 priority. After 22 days, I cracked. The kids, the two jobs, the housework, the yardwork, the errands, the bill paying, the family functions... this is the 'life' that got in the way. I didn't give myself the proper time to prepare meals in advance, and when my hair began falling out, excessively, I took it upon myself to eat a cheeseburger. A burger with a BUN, CHEESE, MAYO and KETCHUP! And although I am certainly not trying to deter you from trying this challenge for yourself and working towards a healthier lifestyle, I am still writing the honest truth, so I will tell you that the burger was a MAJOR party in my mouth! No worries regarding the hair loss, I talked with my nutritionist and, because I chose to eat nothing instead of the non-paleo food choices, my body was lacking certain vitamins, such as iron and others, which can cause hair loss. I'm far from bald... it was just a mild side effect that was actually a blessing because it made me take notice of what my body was lacking. Without the proper nutrients, my 30-day challenge to a healthier life was pretty much null and void.
After eating that 'delish' burger, I did return to my paleo program for the rest of the 30 days. On day 31, and every day since, I make a conscious effort to take notice of what I am feeding my body. Yes, I eat carbs and sugar, but because of this program, my choices are FAR better than ever before. My carb and sugar intake is at a minimum. Want a perfect example? While dining at one of my favorite italian restaurants, I chose to order their fabulous chicken ceasar salad, rather than my favorite dish, which is fettucini alfredo.
I mentioned in an earlier post that my digestive track felt like it was in perfect working order after only about a week on this paleo and fitness program. After the challenge, I slowly began putting the foods back into my diet that I had missed so much. Words just fail me when I try to explain the gutt wrenching pain in my stomach after eating the breads, the pastas, the butter, etc. Although I am not living a full paleo lifestyle, I did just recently order paleo bread and paleo friendly snacks, in order to curb my craving and not suffer the consequences of dietary disaster in the gutt.
In regards to my crossfit training, I can only say that when life gets in the way, and I don't make the time to spend that hour or less at the gym, the noticeable difference in the way my clothes fit and how I view myself in the mirror is utterly saddening. Like I said, you will get out of it what you put into it.
All in all, my challenge was a huge success. Not only in the weight loss, but in the ultimate goal to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and re-program my brain to make better choices and detox from my carb addiction.
Learn my stats and weight loss results here.