Pallas Athena

Sorry to hear about the migraine, but glad you recovered quickly. Photo of baby blanket? Cruising into the last days of this challenge!

I think you're probably right about the two weeks clean with social break at about those intervals. And I agree, eating out was VERY stressful when trying to eat clean. And I think anything that doesn't trigger cravings is probably okay. I finally got back on track today and ate completely Whole30 (except for the mocha). I'm definitely looking for a higher grade chocolate. I really mostly want the chocolate, not the sweetener. I suspect I'll get better at maintenance as I continue to feel the effects when I don't eat right. I had some chili yesterday, homemade and organic, but the beans nearly killed me. Mega-bloated and a headache the next morning. Won't be wanting to do that again soon, so one less temptation to deal with. Have you been able to get to the butcher yet?

Hooray! And Happy Valentine's Day back to you! So glad to hear your vacation left you happy and relaxed, and that you're already planning the next one! Boo for KJ--I pretty much agree with Dominic's assessment of the situation. And hooray for the business plans! Send links, pls, when ready!

Awesome, spezzy! Sounds like the end is in sight for your wrist healing!

Feeling better, even if a little grumpy?

LostOne, message for you at the end of this post. Thanks!

Day 37 (Tuesday) and Day 38 (Wednesday): Nothing useful accomplished. Day 39 (Thursday): 1. Back exercises: YES!! 2. 10k squats: 2x29 (8605 to go!) 3. Walking: 75 mins. WIO Eat Whole30: yes! Work on cookbook: YES! (formatted three recipes--one weekly menu--yay!) A perfect day! Wow, the back exercises were a wake up call. When I first laid down on the floor to start, my head wouldn't even lay down. By the end, I could lay flat, but...wow. Clearly I need this work desperately. And now. LostOne, gotta thank you for the 360pft.com link in your own goals. I liked his question, "What is your word worth?" I told you I had heard your words, while at the same time thinking I had heard my words, too. My word hasn't been worth much with regard to back exercises and working on my cookbook during this challenges. That changed today.

I just got some health insurance after January 1, too! First time in about a decade! Feels good. Brava!

Sounds really good, LostOne! So glad to hear the stress is down! Okay, 300pft with no slip ups. I heard you. Would you please include reporting the results here at the end of each workout as part of each day's workout assignment? You go, grrl!

Thanks, LostOne! I'm definitely feeling better, but I miss my cat. I'm sure you can relate.

Yikes! Feel better soon!

What were the really stressful points during the Whole30, do you remember? Maybe we can help brainstorm alternatives that are less stressful? One stress point for me was not being able to put chocolate syrup in my coffee. It annoyed me nearly every day. I don't really like coffee without chocolate--too bitter. But I really like the caffeine boost sometimes. I'm experimenting with making that an exception for Whole30 maintenance. I don't think there's enough sugar in it to cause much of a blood sugar spike (though I could be wrong). I use about a tablespoon of Hershey chocolate syrup, and it's extremely rare for me to drink more than one cup of coffee a day. Many days I don't have any. What I'm watching for is to see if using the chocolate triggers any cravings when everything else I eat in a day is clean Whole30. If it does, then I'll have to find another alternative. If not, then I think I can safely use it. Right now I'm just trying to get back on track. I think the idea of a clean 2-weeks sounds great, and I think I'll do that myself, too. Looking forward to hearing about your CSA!

Yes! And remember, junk food is specifically engineered to make you want more. "Nobody can eat just one" isn't just a slogan, it's a food engineering design. Literally.

Thanks, EmCee. Sam and I are definitely feeling a lot better. We actually went out and hiked (in the rain) at the nature preserve yesterday. Wonderful to be outside again! Day 36 (Monday): 1. Back exercises: no. 2. 10k squats: 2x28 (8663 to go) - I need to do these more according to schedule. The second set was hard to finish. 3. Walking: 50 mins. on trail outdoors Eat Whole30: no. Work on cookbook: no.

I agree with RisenPhoenix about the universe sending you a message and with Kishi about the opportunities being offered. You set yourself a goal of moving to Austin. You got your finances cleaned up (or at least well underway). Next step was to drop the job you hated so you have time to make the Austin arrangements. If you had quit, you might not have qualified for unemployment, but by getting fired, I'm pretty sure that improves the odds for qualifying. So the universe/your unconscious/God/your inner self/whatever has helped you end your job in a way that gives you maximum benefits--perhaps even some free time. Also, I don't see how this challenge was a wash for you. You did your Wholetexalypse and 4T, didn't you? You completed Whole82, no? You got the equipment you needed for rucking, and now you may have more time to do it. Good lord, man, what would have been necessary for you to consider progress to have been made? And you did all that while surviving some pretty grim illness, too. Relax. No matter how it may feel like, you're doing better than ever. Would you please do me a favor and be nice to my friend Loren?

Agreed! The meal sounds very healthy. I'm working to find that sweet spot for Whole30 maintenance that balances enjoying things like chocolate without disrupting healthy metabolic functioning. Not easy. The Whole30 authors are right that it's easier with hard and fast rules so there are no decisions about what is acceptable. I'm trying to develop a list of my maintenance rules so I don't have to make new decisions every day. Not easy.

Thanks, alienjenn.

Sounds like your life is getting reassembled. Nice work, spezzy!

I like your new name! Hope you had fun in the hotel gym!

Sounds like a really good plan! Hope it went well for you and you are feeling rested!

Hmm. It appears that if you high kick, your opponent will stand there and wait for your foot to hit them, so perhaps it would be more effective than one would think. (Heh...)

You said: "My new plan: stay whole30 complaint 80% of the time, read ingredients and be aware of what I eat. But when I go out I'm not going to stress if there is a bit of cheese or corn on my salad, or if the bacon I have at brunch with friends has added sugar. But I won't keep these things in the house. Additionally if I'm craving something sweet I'll make a paleo dessert and bring the left overs into the office. No more of this feeling deprived like I experienced on whole30. I think I can make it 5-15 days at a time pretty easily and then I'll have a treat if I want it. Making new and fun recipes are what made whole30 livable and I want to do more of that." This! ^^^^^ And brava for signing up for a CSA! I think you'll be amazed at the flavor of fresh local organic food. For me, there was no going back. And it works so well with the Whole30 plan!

Ooh, I used to love to scuba dive! I learned how in Alaska, of all places--pretty much the opposite conditions of Vanuatu, I'm sure! But it's a wonderful skill to have. So beautiful under the water! i'd never really enjoyed water sports until I learned to dive. Then canoeing and sailing followed soon after. So glad you're having not just fun, but full blown adventures!

The rucking sounds great! Wish I could see the sun. Snowing right now...

Shitty news is just an indicator, like a snapshot. You can change almost anything physical. Most people don't, so doctors make predictions based on the idea that people won't change. You can do it differently.