huh...

Shamelessly I am hoping for a new pot/pan set that is being given away in Paleo Comfort Foods giveaway! Would LOVE a new set b/c what I have is SUPER old, like got as a wedding gift old. That was 13 1/2 years ago. It's seen its day and served well!! So here is to fingers crossed:

http://paleocomfortfoods.com/out-of-the-kitchen/paleo-comfort-foods-biggest-giveaway-yet/

Go on and enter yourself in too.


On another note, there was a little hope that my detox/cleanse thing was working. That hope was dashed against the rocks after my morning workout. Really, today I am depressed and emotional. I just kind of want to throw in the towel. However, I'm not going to. Just going to process through this feeling and move forward. In the meantime I'll have a piece or two of chocolate =)

DIM Cleanse/Detox

I wasn't sure if I was going to share this or not on the Internet, but have decided to put it up so I don't have to keep shuffling the papers I wrote it down on.

About the end of June beginning of July Jason Seib, the owner/trainer/nutrition guru at my gym, called me over. Not exactly the usual; so I started to wonder what I had done. Yeah, I always have a guilty conscious. Must be from all the trouble I used to get into as a kid. Anyway, he told me about a estrogen cleanse I should do. Basically, he said I would pick a green vegetable and eat it all day long. Each day I'd pick a new vegetable for seven days. The vegetables couldn't have any calories added to them; no fat! They had to be eaten raw or steamed w/ seasoning added to them. Then take the DIM once a day for a month. Once done w/ the cleanse I'd have to keep my diet strict for a month or longer to be sure we got the results. He told me it would suck and my workouts would suck, but he hoped it would get my body on track w/ burning the fat better/faster. Also help with the crazy PMS and menstrual cycle I have. I was like, "Help w/ the PMS and cycle?!?! I am in!!"

Well I was about to leave on a 10 day road trip and decided that was not the time to start a cleanse. Didn't really see me keeping my diet 100% strict while traveling and eating out. Once home I kept pushing it off because of scheduling. Summer is a hard time to decide to do a cleanse!! Too many fun BBQ's, fairs, picnics, etc...  I finally picked a date and said it was happening. My cleanse started 8/20/12 below you'll find my daily journal for each of the seven days.

DIM Cleanse Day 1 ~ Celery

Began my Monday as always, fasting before workout (also known as intermittent fasting, IMF). My body cleaned itself out (bowel movement) this morning. Did the daily workout: back squat @ 50% 125# (slightly more than my 50%) 10 X 10 X 10; 8 goblet squats, 100’ broad jump, 200 meter run 4 rounds timed finished 12:06. I began eating at 11:45am. Finishing off a heart of celery very easily! Yep, it was RAW! Later I walked my kids to the park with their friends and ate another heart and a half of celery while re-reading The Host. This helped me keep my mind off the fact I just wanted to sink my teeth into a big juicy steak or succulent piece of chicken. Oh, also had me a cup of green tea while at the park. This helped with the constant headache that came on around 3pm. 

Once home from the park and shopping for several days of veggies I prepared dinner for my girls. Boy that was HARD! I just had to keep telling myself to not lick the homemade mayo spoon or the homemade ranch spoon. Things I do mindlessly all the time. Also had to tell myself to not eat their all beef hot dog. Not to even think of taking a bite. 

Once I had their plates ready I began preparing my dinner of steamed celery. Had to change it up a bit otherwise I might decide to keep eating once the last bite of celery left my fingers. Only, to find myself a few digits short when I came to. LOL! I tossed in some red chili flakes while it was steaming and then seasoned it with salt and granulated garlic once it was soft. It was nice to eat something warm. I had a glass of green tea with dinner as well. The caffeine is helping the headache some. Once I was done eating I took my DIM. Had a couple more glasses of water and took my acidophilus. Total water intake is somewhere around 10 glasses. Need to start drinking water firs thing in the am. Might help with the headache.

DIM Cleanse Day 2 ~ Broccoli  8/21/12

Slept better than I thought I would, although, my dreams were weird and a bit emotional last night. Did some IMF this day. It wasn’t purposely though. Just got busy cleaning and organizing and before I knew it had to get ready for the day. I ate 4 cups steamed broccoli to start off with seasoned w/ salt and pepper. Sipped on a cup of green tea all afternoon long, along with drinking a lot of water. Took two acidophilus caps. When I was hungry again I ate another 4 cups steamed w/ salt and pepper. Sipped on another cup of green tea and continued the water intake. In the evening I ate 7 cups of steamed broccoli seasoned w/ salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Took my DIM and more acidopholus. Total water intake for the day was 11-12 cups. Also slight headache all day long.

DIM Cleanse Day 3 ~ Asparagus  8/22/12

Per usual I did some IMF before my 10am workout. Workout was hard. Noticed it as soon as I started warming up that I don’t have as much energy. Wasn’t surprised by that, knew it would be so. Just surprised by how badly I wanted to just stop! The lift for the day was clean at 85% 1 X 5. Didn’t have a lot of trouble with this. Then I got permission from Jeromie to do the strength bias workout (instead of 300 double-unders). Which was 15 X 4 heavy kettlebell swings and 10 X 4 slam balls. That was HARD! Very little energy and I wanted to throw up/blackout when done w/ one set. Didn’t happen, just felt like it could. 

Once done w/ workout I ate almost 2lbs of asparagus dry baked (no oils or fats). Then seasoned w/ salt and pepper. Took two acidopholus and 500mg of magnesium. Sipped on green tea all day long, but didn’t finish the whole cup. The caffeine is a little much for me and might be interrupting my sleep a little. Ate the remaining 6-7 stalks of asparagus plus almost another pound. Tried to take a nap, but more of a rest time. Couldn’t quiet my caffeinated self. Continued pouring in the water.  Didn’t notice much of a headache today. Maybe a slight headache. Not exactly sure about water intake, but would say I was at 10+ cups easy. My girls kept drinking off my water bottle/glass =/. 

In the evening I ate almost another 2 lbs of asparagus baked and seasoned w/ salt, pepper and granulated garlic. I left like 4 spears b/c I just couldn’t eat another bite! Worst feeling is wanting to eat something more substantial. I miss red meat, white meat, bacon, sausage, eggs…any sort of meat!! Also miss cream and butter!! Took my DIM and two acidopholus. Too lazy to get the magnesium…

DIM Cleanse Day 4 ~ Sweet Peas  8/23/12

Another night of weird/strange/unusual dreams last night. Sleep was a little more fitful too! Woke HUNGRY this morning!! Finally had a small bowel movement this morning. It was kind of a brown changing into green color and slightly hard. Which was a little surprising. Remember, my body naturally cleaned itself on Monday (Day 1). Once up I got busy doing chores and IMF until after my massage/chiropractic appointment. Should have grabbed my water to go, but was running late and flew out of the house w/o it. Now I’ve gotta down the water. 

Snap peas are a poor choice, in my book, for eating all day long! They take A LOT of chewing!! They take more than steamed broccoli. Going to try them steamed for the next mealtime. 

 After my appointment and some eating and drinking my body let go of the rest of the BM. Very green and nice and soft too! My Mom would be so proud of me. If I were a toddler =)  Took my two acidopholus, two magnesium and vitamin D.  Took me a real nap today. The nap was not very restful. My body was cold and never really got warm. Even in my warm snuggie pants and warm fuzzy socks. My attitude shifted today; very edgy!

Steamed the peas and added salt once finished. Still a lot of chewing! Not my favorite by far!! I love these things in small servings, raw or steamed with butter. Not in large quantities as the only thing I am eating. 

Sat through Bourne Identity with the hubby. Noticed my edgy pissiness intensifying. Totally annoyed by the loud movie next to mine. Wasn't tempted or tortured by my hubby eating popcorn or drinking soda right next to me. I wanted to throw up at the smell of the Red Vines he opened! 

Still very cold! My body was very cold when we left the theater. Got home too my two mag and 3 DIM. Over all I ate two pounds of peas... Much less then the previous three days.

DIM Cleanse Day 5 ~ Broccoli  8/24/12

Sleep was still sketchy! Body still really cold. Partially why I couldn't sleep well. IMF before workout as usual. Very pissy today! Had a little road rage on my way to the gym. Warm up was hard to get through. Body started to get warm, but felt cold. I left my 3/4 zip insulated shirt on through the whole workout. Usually this is off after the first 200m run, if not by the end of warm up. We deadlifted at 50% 10X5 so I was at 125#. Our MetCon was 10 step ups weak leg, 10 step ups strong leg, 10 shoulder presses at 50% (45#; should have been at 47.5#, but was shearing the bar and having a little issue w/ my left shoulder) for five rounds timed. I finished in 8:56. Not bad for less than 500 calorie average intake for the last five days. Once finished I took two steps and collapsed onto my stomach. 

Today I had to return to something I knew I enjoyed, broccoli. Once I rand some errands I enjoyed a nice big bowl of steamed broccoli! Took two magnesium caps. Had LOTS of energy today!! Did some more shopping for veggies. Then cleaned my bathroom w/ help from my girls. Not tired until late. Showered to warm my body and went right to bed. Only had 1/2 cup of green tea today and a TON of water!

DIM Cleanse Day 6 ~ Green Beans  8/25/12

Sleep was short thanks to hubby's alarm going off unnecessarily at 5:30am on a Saturday! Once awake couldn't fall back asleep. Got up and did some chores. Mostly folding laundry. Once I felt tired again I went back to bed, about 7:30am. Slept fitfully until 10:30am. 

Once up I was still tired, hungry, pissy, irritable and unable to focus or move hardly at all. Called hubby home from work early to help take care of kids. Laid on couch wrapped up in my fuzzy warm blanket with my fuzzy socks, flannel jammy pants, t-shirt and my hoodie with hood pulled up until 3:30pm. Really I couldn't be still at all. Every 15-20 minutes I had to get up to do something. 

I ate my green beans w/ salt after steaming them. I enjoyed them, but my desire to eat is gone. After getting showered and dressed we ran some errands with hubby as the chauffeur. I perked up after the shower, but still very tired and fuzzy headed. Finished a 2 lb bag and a little more of the green beans. Took my 2 magnesium and 3 DIM pills. 

DIM Cleanse Day 7 ~ Cucumber + 1 apple  8/26/12

Sleep was short but peaceful. Really should have eaten when I got up! My mood was really grumpy!! Slightly dark. Cramps in my back, like a tight ache. Finished my 1.5 English cucumbers w/ salt at about 12:30pm. Took a power nap. Ate the rest of my 1.5 cucumbers w/ salt (to make a total of 3) while driving to the beach with friends. 

I helped prepare dinner for everyone. My job was to fry the bacon. I did it without drooling all over it! While everyone ate their bacon quiche, I ate two more cucumbers with salt. Once I finished them off I enjoyed my Fuji apple. It was so crisp and sweet! Took 2 magnesium caps and 3 DIM.

Conclusion:

When thinking about how I felt on each day I noticed a few patterns. The day after a workout day I was spend and overly tired. As the days passed my body became unable to regulate my body temperature. Leaving me cold. No big surprise since my body didn't have the caloric requirements to produce a thermogenic response. Also as the week came to an end I was more and more pissy. Which wasn't fun for anyone!

The weeks to follow the cleanse I continued taking the DIM, but at the normal two pills per dose. I've noticed being really edgy and pissy a lot! Like constant PMS. I can tell it is getting old around my house since hubby keeps making comments when I bite someone's head off. Can't blame him one bit! My menses came when expected, but just as painful and heavy as normal. Not 100% sure the cleanse worked. Going to give it another month before making any firm decision on that. In the mean time I'll keep my diet strict w/ exception to the concert evening at the beginning of Oct. We'll see how well the 7 days of hell worked out...

Go Paleo

Well I've gotten back on track from the holidays and really am feeling good! Can't say I mind eating this kind of diet and working out like this at all. Love that I don't have to think about what I eat! Just eat something real. No fake food. Eat until satisfied and eat when hungry. Normally, I'd be teetering on the fence about to throw in the towel on a diet. Not this time! I feel too good and am not hungry. EVER! Unless I go too long w/o eating. When that is the case it's my fault.

I really enjoy my workouts! Nothing like going and pushing your body to the max. It feels really good! Yeah I'm sore and my muscles ache. But it's in a good way. When I am done working out I feel stronger. I also know I am getting stronger. Even when doing my MOD's (I think that's what Jason calls them) I can tell I am faster and stronger. There is no lollygagging from this girl any longer! Even when I don't think I've got another set in my, I dig in and find one more. I then get a HUGE sense of accomplishment.

Like with today's workout. We started with chest press using dumbbells. Then did 5 sets of 10 thrusters w/ a bare bar and 20 kettlebell swings using a 35 pound kettlebell. During the third set I started to think I didn't have anymore in me. Finished my third set and took a good break. Then did set four. Really thought I was done. Jason told me to take a longer break then to do one more. Reluctantly, I did. A person should ALWAYS obey their trainer since they can make life hell for you! Well, I did it! I finished it. Yeah, I was sore and tired, but I DID IT! I then went home and ate lunch and briskly walked 2 miles.

Beyond the physical though my mental state is good. I am really enjoying life! Finding that I smile and joke a lot more. I'm more upbeat. Granted I have a natural tendency to be sarcastic or pessimistic, but it's a lot less dark! That's the best part. For me and for my family. What I love the most is knowing my girls will not see me sitting in a cloud of depression. That they will not see me moping around and shrugging them and their excitement for life off.

If you struggle with depression, anxiety, insomnia, feeling malaise or hate the way you look or how you fit in your pants you should go Paleo! A few other reasons to go Paleo: consistent pain in your body, allergies, migraines. I'm sure I can keep the list going, but I'd be here for another hour and well, frankly I have kids to go and enjoy! So if there is something you've been dealing with or struggling with for a LONG time go Paleo! Do it for 30 days and see how you feel. Not sure what Paleo means...check out Clackamas Physical Conditioning's website or EPLifeFit's site. Or pick up Robb Wolf's book The Paleo Solution. You won't be disappointed, I promise!

Time flies!

Wow! It's been awhile since I last posted... Well my slacking only came from preparing Christmas gifts for family members and dealing with sick kids. Lot's of yucky sickness hung around during the holiday break. Total bummer!

Some of the major depression symptoms I had were: cannot be cheered up, loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities, insomnia, eating too much, feeling slowed down, extreme fatigue and lack of energy, decreased sexual drive, catatonia, decreased motivation, decreased task performance, withdrawal and isolation, loss of gratification in effort, lack of attention to hygiene and appearance, no desire to talk, interact or socialize; having very low slef-esteem, inability to think, remember concentrate, marked indecisiveness, recurrent thoughts of death; suicidal thoughts, hypersensitive to noise, light and stress. 


Kind of long list, huh? Well they didn't all come to visit overnight! Some have been things I've dealt with for years. Seems like I am naturally bent to depression. Which is why it so easily spiraled into a massive depressive episode. I 'functioned' or lived in this for 6-8 weeks easy! At first is was just a few more than the normal. Then one day I woke up and only did things because my girls needed to be cared for. My husband and I discussed where I was emotionally and he'd express his concern. However, that didn't take me out of it.

I decided sometime in September that I was done being this way! I asked the Lord to help me dig myself out of this state. Let's be honest, I wanted it to be instantaneous. Like on cartoons and in the movies. However, depression doesn't work that way. So I focused on getting out more. Being around people more. Being active. Eating more veggies and fruit and less junk food. However, I didn't give up the sugar... Sugar is my crack!

In October I began working out with my Mother-in-law (MIL) and Sister-in-law (SIL) with a personal trainer. Our trainer, Jason, requires a lot if you are going to be his client. The first was to eat Paleo. He also has us working out that way too. So I gave it the 30-day trial run. What did I have to loose? I felt awful and hated the way I looked. Emotionally I was feigning everything. I'd smile or laugh when appropriate. It wasn't cheesy, just a mask so others wouldn't know. Very few of my friends and family knew where I was at. I was FIGHTING to not be depressed. I didn't want to take any meds. I wanted a total 360 in my life and that is what Jason offered. As skeptical as I was, I didn't have anything to loose but hope. So I took the 30 days and ran.

It took me a few days to get it all together and fully on board (learning curve). By week 3 I found myself laughing. Truly laughing because something was funny! Not because this is where I should insert laughter. Honestly, true laughter was something that was rare for me, very rare. So when I realized it I was stoked! Another drastic change was in my sleeping habits. I was able to go to sleep at a normal hour and sleep well. That was amazing! I woke up refreshed and renewed. Not groggy or foggy in my head. I had tons of energy and was able to focus long enough to use that energy.

Now you might be saying, 'that's nice, but it won't work for me.' or 'well of course you feel better you made a change.'. Well, it's from taking out all grains, sugar and the processed junk from my diet. That's the main part anyway. The working out helped too. I know it made the difference because during Christmas I had a 10 day period where I didn't really eat Paleo and added all the junk back in. Well, I started not sleeping again. Staying awake until 2 or 3 am easy. Feeling sluggish, foggy and out of it. Even noticed some of the depression creeping back in. Oh, and I was SO bloated! It was horrible!!

Once I got my focus back on the Paleo lifestyle I started to notice the difference. I won't lead you to believe that I've been back at it for long. In reality it's only been 5 or 6 days with a few little slip ups. Yet, my sleep is starting to regulate to a normal again. The bloating has gone away, thank God! My face has cleared up and I am able to focus! Let's just say there will be no vacations from eating this way again! It's not worth the issues it creates. However, there will be a cheat once in awhile.