I have a few thoughts that I figured, since I'm here, updating my blog after being missing for...months, I might as well say what I want to say. I feel off the wagon. Not hard, but enough to have a little bump, and I think it's completely ok. Here's the deal, being dedicated 100% of the time is ideal, but the average person (who I have classified as someone who doesn't work as a trainer, or own a gym, or has a part time job, or a stay at home job, or a significant other, or who doesn't have a passion for good food or drinking with friends) will find it very difficult, almost impossible to be 100% perfect with their eating habits. This is a totally fine concept, and realistically, being mentally strong is part of this dedication. I also think its a poor excuse to say everything that I've said above - but finally, I think that there is an absolutely sound and reasonable happy medium. I live, currently in that medium. I understand the need to have indulgences, but I also understand the need to pick and choose, to not over-indulge and to listen to what you're body is telling you (for the most part; if your body is screaming that you need cheese fries every day, tell it to STFU). I also know my triggers and I think that this is a HUGE piece of understanding food and fitness and how to have a "healthy" relationship with food. I know that a lot of wheat gives me migraines, I know that dairy makes my stomach sad. I know that while I love fruit, too much of it keeps me from the fitness goals I want and that I should reach for veggies instead.
So here it is, I feel off the wagon a bit...and it was worth it. The weather in Chicago finally hit that temperature and feeling that keeps people living in Chicago. And while during my Whole 30, alcohol is a no no, who can turn down a drink in a beer garden and some appetizers? Mmmm, not I said the fly. So there I sat, with a beer, and then half a tequila drink - and some deliciously fresh chips, salsa and tacos at Big Star. Here's the part where I tell you how I chose - I chose the chips, so I sacrificed the tortillas of the taco. Small cheat - totally ok. That's the point of this post - to let people know that as important as it is to be dedicated, it is just as important to be realistic and be true to your expectations. More so, it's important to know what your triggers are, and that if you are challenged with being able to say no to something, or restrict yourself to smaller portions - stay away from it until you have gained that relationship. As a result, I'm counting this as my second week and have added another week to my 30 days. I think I owe it to myself to actually challenge myself instead of making excuses where I see it fit.
Finally - a few tips on eating paleo, primal, following a whole 30esq program - be realistic with recipes also. I've done this before. I did it once where I didn't really call it paleo - I looked at more so as low-carb, low alcohol and low fat. Doing it this way didn't even make me really deviate from my normal cooking much, just changed what my expectations were of meals. I would make Steve, rice, and I would load up on veggies. The difference then? I had a wedding dress and very expensive alterations to fit into - so I was really cautious. The one time I went "paleo" and was "strict" about it, and I spent all this money on arrowroot powder and different "flours", sauces - things that were gluten free. This is challenging. The portions of a lot of these items are small and they're expensive, and most recipes have so many of these ingredients as an attempt to make the recipes taste like they were made with non-paleo approved ingredients. This time around, I'm realizing that its all about KISS - keep it simple, sucker. Here's my tip and my last thought - just keep it simple. Eat real meat and real veggies, and let that be your paleo way. Determine the few things that you really cant live without, and find some paleo recipes for that - but have them as a treat versus a daily thing.
Enjoy, eat well, live well - be well!
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