5 Week Blood Results

Got new blood results. If this does not convince you that Paleo is the way to go, I do not know what will. I will post results from July 12 first and then results from June 3 in parentheses.

Cholesterol 183 (229)
Triglycerides 112 (191)
HDL 48 (52)
LDL 113 (139)
Hgb A1C 4.8 (4.9)

Because I was so sick last week, my C-Reactive Protein jumped up to a 6 from a 2.2

My creatinine was high as well (1.3) and my glomerular filtration rate was at 50 (a little low). I was so sick and dehydrated last week my blood tests really showed it. I will redo those in a month.

I went to Crossfit last night. Kicked my butt! We did this WOD called "The Hike". Holy crap! I am glad that I did not have to do the whole thing, I would still be there. I did a modified version of it since I am so out of shape. This is what I did and in parentheses is what everyone else had to do.

10 Handstand Push-Ups (20)
20 Pull-Ups (40)
600m Run (same)
40 Sit-Ups (80)
50 Squats (100)
100 Singles -Jump Rope (75 Double Unders)
25 Walking Lunges (50)
20 Burpees (25)

I finished in 24 minutes. Pretty good. Most of the people that did the whole workout finished before me, but hey, I finished! I feel good and I will get better! That is all that counts.

Down 12 pounds and will do measurements on the 3rd of August.

Cheated and Paying For It!

On Sunday, I went through the Taco Bell drive through. My daughter likes the soft beef tacos (her dad usually gets them for her, so I thought it would be a nice treat). I ordered 2 tacos for her and a Chicken Fiesta Salad for me thinking that I would just eat the inside of the salad and throw away the "bowl". The Chicken Fiesta salad contains about 1/2 C of lettuce! On top of that, the main part of the salad is about 1 C of refried beans and 1 C of spanish rice (items that I have not had in over a month). I thought to myself, I have been good, what will a little beans and rice do to me...The next day, I wake up, vomit and sit on the toilet again and again and again and well you get the point. I called in sick to work. My stomach was in such pain that all I could do was sleep, lay on the couch, and sit on the toity (of course). I lived on water yesterday (lost another pound). I feel better today, my stomach is still doing some loops but much better. I missed my Crossfit class last night and I have chosen not to go tonight as well, just to rest a little more.

I got my bloodwork done this morning, so I will post those results when I receive them.

10 Pounds and 8 1/2 Inches Outta Here!

I weighed and measured myself on July 3 (4 weeks after I started Paleo), I am down 10 pounds and have lost (and I do not want to find them again) 8.5 inches.

Here are comparable measurements (in parenthesis is measurements from July 3)

Weight 210 (200)
Neck 13 1/2 (13 1/4)
Bust 43 (42)
Arm 14 (13 1/2)
Waist 39 1/2 (39)
Hips 49 1/2 (47) 2 1/2 inches on my hips
Thigh 30 1/2 (29) 1 1/2 inches on each thigh
Calf 16 3/4 (16 1/2)
Wrist 6 1/2 (6 1/2)

This is strict Paleo, I just started working out July 2. No workouts during my 30 days, just focusing on the food.

Crossfit...AWESOME! I have been 3 times this week and love it! Saturday am was a group class: 100 box jumps, 100 knees to elbows, 100 jumping pull-ups and 15 walking lunges across parking lot and sprints back. There were 4 people in my group so we each did 25, 25, 25 and 4. I love the group class because you are pulling for your "team". It was fun.

Yesterday afternoon I went to a preview one-on-one with one of the trainers. Since I have been a part of Crossfit before, I did not have to do the 3 class intro "preheat". The trainer said that I was "solid" in my technique. Yeah!

This morning at 5 am I woke up, got dressed and went to Crossfits 6 am class. Warm-up was great because we worked with kettlebells. I have been working out with kettlebells since about 2000. They are great! All around workout - cardio and weights combined into one. After that, we did Max Clean & Jerk. I maxed on 85#. Nice! I had told myself and the trainer last night that I was just going to do the warm-up. I did the whole circuit, yeah me, first real workout in 11 months! After the max clean and jerk, we did a circuit of kettlebell swings and sit-ups. 21-15-9, I finished last but I still completed it in 4 minutes.

After work today, I am going to Trader Joes to get some ingredients for more Egg Cupcakes from Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo book and Egg Houses from her book as well and a ground turkey stew from the Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly cookbook by Phyllis Pellman Good. I love my crockpot! It has been getting a workout since I started this diet. The crockpot has really worked out for me since I leave for work at 7:30 in the am and sometimes do not get home until 8 or later in the evening. I just pull two of my meals out of the freezer the night before and let it defrost for my lunch and evening meals. I try to make 2-3 different meals each weekend so I have some variety during my work week.

New Bloodwork next week to compare from before I started Paleo and about 6 weeks after.

I will take new measurements in about 3 weeks!

Talk soon

Long time, no write

So... I haven't written for quite a while. But I have lots to post now. I had my mom take pictures of me 2 weeks after I started Paleo (June 18). Yikes!

I have lost 8 pounds! YEAH!

Blood tests came back from June 3. Here are the results (the numbers in parentheses are the biomarker or recommended amounts or ranges that either my doctor gave me or Robb Wolf wrote in his book ):

Mean Blood Glucose 97.1 mg/dL
(79.3 - 129.2)

HGB A1C 4.9%
(less than 5)

C-Reactive Protein 2.2 mg/dL
(less than 1.0) a little high

Glucose 90 mg/dL
(60-100)

Cholesterol 229 mg/dL
(120-140) high

Triglycerides 191 mg/dL
(50-80) high

HDL Cholesterol 52 mg/dL
(more than 50)

LDL Cholesterol 139 mg/dL
(40-70) high

My doctor has agreed to order more bloodwork for me next week to see the difference from being on Paleo for 30 days. I will then do bloodwork every 6 months after that.

I will start Crossfit on July 2. YEAH!!!!

Some things that I have noticed since being on Paleo:

• my acne is going away and my face is really smoothing out



• my pants fit better around my waist and tummy (can't wait to see what my measurements will be on July 3 (30 days from start)



• I am not hungry! I have to remind myself to eat



• I sleep better (still have to purchase some night shades, then it will be even better)



• Wake up refreshed instead of sluggish



• More energy, no more yawning at 3 in the afternoon



• Willing to do more things around the house because of the energy



• Not jonesing for sugar, carbs and dairy - my mom's birthday was today and someone made her cake popsicles, she was describing them to me and it did not sound good, so much sugar and frosting and more sugar



• I am thinking more clearly



• Too bad I am divorced now because my libido has come back full force (sorry if TMI), I am watching a lot of romance novels lately...



• Bowel movements much more regular (sorry again for the TMI)

I feel really different! Good different! Really good different! It is starting to feel that my life is calming down, I do not feel sorry for myself anymore. Depression...gone!

I will post again soon.

5 Pounds Gone!

After 3 days on Paleo, I have lost 5 pounds. WHAT?! Awesome. Since I have been sick there has been no working out, just Paleo. Next week I am hoping to do Pilates every day, the following start including kettlebells and by July 1, Crossfit baby! I am excited.

I really to make some more food for myself. On Sunday night, I did the "Peasant Stew" and made a ton of meals. I thought I was going to start another crock pot recipe Monday night...then Tuesday night, well now it's Thursday night and I have been living off of Peasant Stew. Needless to say, I am getting a little tired of beef and need some white meat.

Last night I went to pick up my daughter at church (my dad is the minister and he was watching her yesterday after school), they have a dinner every Wednesday night. Beef Stroganoff, yikes! So, I went by TJ's before heading over there and bought myself a shrimp and crab salad (YUM!). I did so good! So proud! Got on the scale this am and 205! Yeah!

Daddy has daughter tonight, so I am going to try to get some meals done in the kitchen. Egg Cupcakes and Dry Rub Chicken, both Sarah Fragoso's receipes.

Day One

I contracted my daughter's cold (I am miserable).

I started the morning off cleaning my oven (disgusting). Now that I am done with that, I can cook my Egg Cupcakes from Sarah Fragoso's book, "Everyday Paleo".

I had a very yummy breakfast: 2 eggs over easy with salsa on the top, half an avocado and a handful of blueberries. I think I need more though, I was hungry within a couple of hours.

1 cup of coffee on the way to work this am.

For lunch I had my stew that I cooked in the crockpot last night. The next time I make it I will not use as much meat and put more veggies in there. It was very good.

Afternoon snack, a Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar and some TJ's Fruitsnacks.

Tonight when I get home, I will start on the Chicken Crock Pot recipe and the Egg cupcakes. It will be nice to have my meals for the week done by tonight.

I have been drinking tea and water like crazy today since I am blowing my nose so much. I feel dehydrated which is never good.

Touch base later

Here I Go!

Tomorrow is my first official Paleo day! I have been preparing, returning food and going through recipes.

I returned my "non-Paleo" food items to TJ's yesterday, the manager asked me why I was returning so much stuff and I told him I was starting Paleo on Monday...He knew what I was talking about and he was stoked for me. I was in and out within 30 minutes. Cool, huh?

Tonight I returned groceries and shopped at Smith's grocery for over 2 1/2 hours. I left the house at 6:30 and got back to the house at 9:30. Talk about a long shopping trip. The cashier had to hand enter in every item and look at every receipt. I took an hour this morning going through every receipt and seperating all items into bags according to receipt. Pretty nice of me, huh? It still took forever! The woman was very nice about everything and kept apologizing about taking so long, I was just happy that they took it all back. I got back over $110, so I think that was well worth the time.

This morning, I cleaned my fridge (it needed a whole lot of elbow grease). I feel so much better that is done. Tonight, I sprayed my oven to clean it and get it ready for all of the baking it is going to be doing soon. My crock pot is going right now with my beef stew. Here is what I put in it:

2.5 lbs beef
8 pieces of TJ's Turkey Bacon (I love this stuff!)
1 white onion
1/2 pkg grape tomatoes
1 pkg baby portobello's, sliced
1 snack pack of baby carrots (leftover and needed to use them)
2 heads of broccoli (trees only, not the stems)
1 stalk of celery, sliced thin

Low for 8 hours. When I wake up, my house will smell so yummy. This recipe should last me for quite a few days. I will put some in the fridge and freeze the rest.

I also purchased a whole chicken to do another crock pot recipe (to come) and items to make "Egg Cupcakes" from Sarah Fragoso's book, "Everyday Paleo".

I am excited. I found out a friend has been on the Paleo Diet for quite a few months and is loving it. She said that she has never felt this good. All of the positive comments that I am hearing are really getting me excited.

Tomorrow morning, I need to take pictures of myself before I start my new journey.

Goodnight all!

Double Ear Infections

I took my daughter to the doctor this morning. She told me that her right ear hurt yesterday afternoon. She was restless all night last night and started complaining about both of her ears. She has been coughing for the past week but nothing too bad. I thought she was getting better. My poor baby. This is the first ear infection that she has had and she is already 3 years old. Pretty good, huh? I was thinking the whole time that if we were doing Paleo, she probably would not have gotten sick at all in the first place.

I cleaned out my pantry today...I cannot believe how much crap I had in there! I will make a trip to Smith's grocery and TJ's tomorrow. I need to go through all of my receipts tonight to find all of the food items that I am returning. My refrigerator and pantry are pretty bare now. Before I go grocery shopping I will clean my frig, it needs a good scraping. I already wiped down my pantry. My trash can is very heavy with items that were already opened or expired.

I had my blood drawn today and will post the numbers when I receive them from the doctor. I thought I would have a last hoorah of fast food before starting my Paleo life, what a horrible decision. I feel like crap! I had not eaten since dinner last night because I had to fast for the blood tests, and I did not go for the bloodwork until 11:00. So...I went to Long John Silvers and ate the chicken and fish platter. Not even 2 hours later I had to run to the bathroom 3 times. I will not go into details with that, but I think you understand. YUCK!

Okay, measurements... I did these myself, so hopefully they are close to being correct.

Weight: 210
Neck: 13 1/2
Bust: 43
Arms: 14
Waist: 39 1/2
Hips: 49 1/2
Thighs: 30 1/2
Calves: 16 3/4
Wrists: 6 1/2
Will try to post new measurements every week.

30 Days, Here I Come!

I e-mailed my doc yesterday and asked if she could put an order in for bloodwork...first step

Tomorrow, I will go through my pantry, refrigerator and freezer. Donate, donate, donate! I feel bad doing this because I have so much food that I have spent money on. I wonder if the grocery stores will take returns and credit me back? I will call and see. Wow! Called both Smith's Grocery and Trader Joe's and they will take back any unused items. Smith's I need the receipt for returns and that is understandable. Get this...for Trader Joe's - I can donate the items, bring in just the receipt and they will give me credit for it. Holy crap! What?! TJ's is AWESOME! I know Robb Wolf talks about them all the time, but WHAT?! I feel bad doing that, so if I can find the receipt, I will bring both receipt and food in (I am sure that they just turn around and donate it to Road Runner Food Bank, but it will make me feel better).

Saturday, going to to a Fiber and Farm tour with my daughter and mom. Saturday evening I will go Paleo shopping.

Sunday, cook for the week. I have been reading a lot of blogs on how to prepare for the week and I need it with my job. I work 9-6 Monday - Thursday, live 45 minutes away from work but have to drop my daughter off at school first which is about 15 minutes more away from work.

I am saving up for blackout blinds for my room, the dogs usually wake me up to feed them way too early or my daughter wakes me up because it is "sunny out". Blackout shades here I come! I am getting between 5-7 hours of sleep right now and need more!

Starting weight...UGH! 210 lbs, the most I have ever weighed, not pregnant! Pictures to come.

I will enter measurements later.

Clothing: Tops XL and pants 16 (very tight) my mom gave me a pair of size 18 and those fit comfortably - I hate saying that

13 years ago (age 20) I weighed 120 and wore a very comfortable size 8, this is what I want to get back to, but in better shape.

For this first month, I will be working out at home with my trusty kettlebell and my pilates DVD's (can't afford Crossfit) and eating Paleo. Next month, I will hopefully (fingers crossed) be working full time, getting insurance and gym membership paid for (Crossfit here I come!)

I have been a member at Crossfit for the past 2 years - let me correct myself - 2009 I went August and September, 2010 I went July and August. I loved it when I went, but there was always something else to do that was more important. I am a new divorcee of 1 month and am changing my priorities! One - my daughter, Two - my diet, Three - my body. I know that body will follow with correct diet, but working out is something that I "want" to do.

I have to be smart with my shopping because I have little money. Project for today is go through Sarah Fragoso and Robb Wolf's books to figure out what recipe's to make. The pictures in Sarah's books are mouth watering! I am excited to to do this for my daughter as well, with Sarah's 2 weeks of lunches for her, I am hoping that she will sleep better and have a better attitude (I can always tell when she has had too much sugar, too little sleep or has not eaten).

I think that is all for now. I am stoked about going through my pantry now knowing that I can return some of the food. This will help with purchasing Paleo groceries. YEAH!