hearthsinger

Ok, so I apologize for not being as active this challenge. I feel guilty about it but sadly the challenge has not been my biggest focus because I've been powering through a major Dragon Age cosplay project for New York Comic Con. I'm doing Tallis from the DLC: Mark of the Assassin and the webseries, Dragon Age: Redemption. I started three weeks out from the con. Some said it couldn't be done. Now I know it will be possible but it has taken 4 days a week, 8 hours a day with a half hour lunch break to get it "almost done" at this point. Seriously. I did it like it's my job because Felicia Day, the voice of the character, is going to be at the con and I wanted to share it with her since the last time we met, I was over a hundred lbs heavier. I thought it might be a nice way to celebrate my love for my favorite game, one of my creative inspirations, and of course my progress. I also thought it might be a great way to introduce my blog to her as well if appropriate. SO yeah. I was under the gun and it is my biggest costume project today. So you can check out my progress here and here's a preview from my first fitting. Note: those are not the leggings I'm wearing. I'm still waiting for them to come in the mail. Also, my hair isn't dyed yet and my ears were not applied for this fitting). There are a few tweeks to be made. Thanks so much to Parolles for stopping by before crossfit to help me work out the kinks and make sure this thing wouldn't shatter when I got it on! As far as my goals go... Whole30: I'm 17 days in and going strong. Really. I can't believe I'm not even tempting to cheat. I'm really only annoyed that I constantly have to cook and clean dishes. No cheats. Parolles and Artemis1 came over for a cooking party to keep it fun on Thursday. We made baked pineapple stuffed spicy burgers with sweet potato medallions and guacamole. They were delicious. There are definitely some changes I would make for next time. I'll probably post a recipe on my blog at some point. Running: Still major fail. Got in a one mile run on one day. Puny but not nothing. Strength: Two bodyweight circuits this week... so on target I guess. Concert: I definitely have not saved $25/week... because I spent all my money on mats for my costume... guys. SO MUCH MONEY. I can't... ANYWAYS. Shannon and I did have a meeting and decided on possible dates in February (7th, or 8th), a structure/theme for the show, a location to contact, and also contacted a music director and he said he's in. So we definitely made some progress on the planning front! We have to contact the venue and reserve the date! Actually... I realized, having looked back over this that the only fail I made this week was running so... yeah I don't feel as bad. I still feel like I'm not meeting that goal... but apparently I've been way more productive than I thought! WOW. Awesome. Well it's 7:30. Which means I'm due in my workshop (aka living room) to work on some repairs, painting, worbla additions, and sewing.

Me too! Really glad it didn't scare me off because aside from food boredom, resisting temptation is soooo much easier now that I've cut ties with processed food and gluten. Like... I don't miss icecream. I ALWAYS MISS IT. So. You know I love that. Thanks Loren! Lots going on. I have a feeling this challenge may not be my best over all, but it won't be a complete fail, especially on the whole30 front. I am hungrier this week than I was before, but not by much. I mean I used to be constantly ravenous. So, I'll keep tabs on it as I go! Yeah I've been doing two meals and then a snack and it's pretty much keeping me happy, which surprises me! Doing regular paleo I usually don't have trouble with the calories but for whatever reason, this time around is weeeird.

It's cool that you've gone minimalist even in your "Magic Cards." I don't know if I could do that with some of the card games I used to collect for! I've been considering getting a bike at the end of the winter and biking to and from work. Technically it's not a SUPER long ride, however it is on the streets of NYC and I don't have a shower or anything at work so it's sort of six of one, half a dozen of the other at this point. I loved your idea to prep your paleo butt off for your game-a-thon. I always do better when I come to that stuff prepared rather than flying by the seat of my pants.

You did so great! I'm super proud of you for working so hard at everything!

So! This first week wasn't amazing but it wasn't a complete fail. Shannon and I set up a time to meet up on Thursday and do more talking about our concert. I didn't workout as much as I would have liked to. That was the biggest fail, but I was completely knocked on my ass by "carb flu" in the beginning and with my fainting episode at work, I'm not surprised. I wasn't getting enough sodium or sugar to stand on my feet for half an hour, let alone go for a run. I'm not going to make excuses though because I probably would have had the episode SOONER had I really attacked my workout plan like I wanted to. I did get in 1 bodyweight training day, but that was it, which is pretty pathetic. I did however eat completely on the Whole30 plan all week long. I'm now eight days in and feeling pretty good. My cravings are pretty much gone and weirdly... my appetite is bizarrely reduced. Like... a lot? Yesterday I was completely fine with a few handfuls of cashews, two cups of grapes and a baked avocado with eggs, peppers and some ground beef. Today I've been forcing down three square meals, but I honestly could go without dinner EASILY. Has anyone else had that experience doing this before?

Well I fainted at work today. Pretty sure it was a combo of low sodium/low blood sugar and maybe a little of the emotional stress catching up with me. I'm a little nervous about continuing because I can't have this happen again and miss a day of work and I can't afford to go in for tests at the doctor's office. I'm certain it's diet related because that's the only thing that's changed in the past 5 days. I'm really nervous but I don't want to just give up and use it as an excuse.

I do feel mostly better now. I have been getting a little dizzy still but I'm not completely knocked on my ass. I do think the worst is over for me as far as the withdrawal period, but we'll see how work goes today. Emotional tensions have been high this week so I'm glad I have this diet to lean on so I really can't just make excuses to emotionally eat.

Crazy headaches. Kinda dizzy. Craving cake of all kinds. Halfling no likey. Did some bodyweight circuits this morning... but it was rough. My balance seems a little off. Tomorrow I'll try to tackle a run. I did finally get around to cleaning up the kitchen so I can do a bigger cook for the next few days. Boyfriend is coming over so I know he never minds me cooking for him instead of ordering junk.

Thanks! Doing my best to stay positive. Definitely in the withdrawal stage. Honestly I'm not too worried about it because it's something I really want to do for me, but right now I'm in the sick/dizzy stage of withdrawal and the cravings have been intense. Luckily I know it's just chemical so it helps to be able to tell myself that this will pass. I have done Paleo eating before (just not as strict as the Whole 30 program), so there was a bit of withdrawal that time around as well. For me it's totally cake or chocolate chip pancakes. I can't explain it except that it's the withdrawal talking. It will pass and I'll be on to better feelings in a few days. I would check on the juice thing as I don't think we're supposed to be drinking it. They're very specific about not drinking calories. BUT I would say that it's never tacky to come prepared to a function to support your own health. Tis I! I have returned. The vacation. IS OVER.

I don't know if you guys know this, but Paro has been kicking ASS at crossfit. AND YEAH. A few months ago he was telling me how a lot of exercise was too high impact for him. WAY TO TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS! <3

I want your paleo fridge! My room mate has been stocking the house with tons of trigger foods and soda... I can't control him or ask him to make the same choices I am... BUT UUUUUuuuuurrrrrgh.

It sounds like things have been tough! I'm so sorry to hear about all of that! It sounds like you handled the school issues the best that you could and I think everyone worries that they won't know how to handle that stuff. I'm not a parent, but I do believe that there's no way to prepare for everything. Sometimes it takes an event like that to figure out how to handle that sort of situation. It sounds like the discipline and processing you did at home was very empathetic yet firm. Hopefully the school will realize that this is a special situation and that they should think about how to handle these issues with spectrum kids in a different way. I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. I know that's got to be so hard, especially when trying to explain that kind of thing to your kids. Keep your chin up and keep kicking ass!

Day one was ok! Breakfast of eggs and beef. Lunch of fruit salad. Dinner of lamb and salad with olive oil. Didn't get in a workout so I'll have to get one in today. I did get a lot of work on my current cosplay done. Day two started late with tea and lamb with salad and olive oil. Don't know what I'll have for dinner, but I'm thinking of making some Paleo sweet potato shepherd's pie which should last for a few days! Gonna get in a bodyweight workout today while my armor cools.

Ha! I'm definitely going all in! You and your lack of forum knowledge never ceases to amuse and amaze me, m'dear! I am sipping on some mint tea right now! Hooray! YUP. I'm nervous but I think my body needs it. It's just another addition to the list of things that I said I'd never do that I'm doing now. WOO indeed. Parolles is doing crossfit for the first time. He could probably use your sage advice! I'm hoping that I love it! I know there will be some trying times ahead (especially over the weekend of New York Comic Con), but it will be worth it! Now I'll have to check out your thread too!

WE CAN DO IT!