Embracing the process, Liberator's 2nd Challenge

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for making a connection with my students

I am grateful for courage to try new things

I am grateful for students who say "thank you"

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar: Stevia and breath mints

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good, but need to wake up earlier so I am not rushing in the morning

Food: BP coffee (coffee, MCT oil, butter, protein powder, cocoa powder,vanilla), tuna, small salad, burger w/o bun, breath mints (5), BP cocoa (cacao butter, cocoa powder, cinnamon, protein powder, stevia), Pellegrino water, green tea

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

Day Two of Ultra Low Carb, eight more to go…

I had a package of tuna with me at work, nothing there I wanted to eat.

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for J spontaneous saying "bathroom" at school and then using it. Can't get him to say it again but gives us hope and an indication of his level of understanding and someday those synapses will function properly and he will talk!!!! Thankful for each little wonderful miracle word!

I am grateful for social activities for O, so excited about movie night at the Tae Kwon Do studio.

I am grateful for the money to afford a wonderful grass-fed flank steak, yum yum!

I am grateful for a husband who shows me love everyday.

I am grateful for a week off of work! yeah!

I am grateful for the my wrinkles on my face, created from all the smiling and laughing and good living…. so worth it.

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done

#3- Diet: Sugar: Stevia and breath mints

#4- Exercise (3x Week) - weight lifting today

Leg press - 3x5 250lb
Pulldown - 3x5 85lb
Chest press - 3x5 60lb
Rowing movement - 3x5 85lb; 1x5 90lb
Shoulder Press  - 3x5 25lb
Pect fly - 3x5 60lb  
 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good

Food: BP coffee (coffee, MCT oil, no butter  , protein powder, cocoa powder,vanilla), breath mints (5), BP cocoa (cacao butter, cocoa powder, cinnamon, protein powder, stevia), Pellegrino water, green tea

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

Note:

Day three of ultra-low carb, no issues…. one week to go…. I already have friends to go out with for the Carb Nite. I think I want to go a nice italian restaurant; Cecelia's or Empire Grill… WANT A REALLY GOOD DESSERT! and a really good drink (maybe two)… I best do some research… 

[Barfly]

I say the same thing about my wrinkles and gray hair. I earned them!

Sounds like you had a great day, and a week off, too? Woot!

Do you find it easier or harder to eat right when you're on vacay?

Cecilia's and empire Grill? Never heard of them, they must be east coast eateries. That gives your posts an exotic flair

[Liberator]

I say the same thing about my wrinkles and gray hair. I earned them!

Sounds like you had a great day, and a week off, too? Woot!

Do you find it easier or harder to eat right when you're on vacay?

Cecilia's and empire Grill? Never heard of them, they must be east coast eateries. That gives your posts an exotic flair

It was a good day, we don't do much for Valentine's Day, going out is not good because every place is super crowded, we don't bother with gifts or cards, but I do make a nice meal at home. I would rather have a husband who is caring and attentive all year round then someone who lavishes me with gifts only a few times a year.  

 

I don't eat as well on vacation, but because I am now 4 days into this thing I think I will do better. I am determine to stick to it for the ten days. I am creating a list of things to eat for carb nite.

 

Cecilia's and Empire Grill are local establishments. I am not a fan of chain restaurants. We have too many good local eateries to support to be bothered with Applebee's or Chili's.  I do my best to avoid them.

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

I am grateful for a husband who does laundry.

I am grateful for a child who does his chores.

I am grateful for a body that continues to improve and amaze me.

I am grateful for a mind that is positively wired and continues to be interested in the world

I am grateful for thoughts of love and tenderness and commitment.

I am grateful for a husband who never feared commitment and continues to give his heart to our marriage.

I am grateful for a husband who can make me laugh even when we are having a disagreement.

      PM

I am grateful for very nice in-laws, who like to have us visit.

I am grateful for big fluffy snow that floats gently downward.

I am grateful for the smell of chocolate, oranges and vanilla.

I am grateful for the feel of fresh air hitting the top inside of nose and filling the sinuses. 

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar: Stevia

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Really good

Food:BP coffee; almonds, BP cocoa, roasted chicken, roasted carrots and broccoli, tea with milk

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

 Day four, I am supposed to be under 30 g of carbs, but I never really counted my carbs. I have been only eating BP coffee for breakfast which is very low in carbs (I am looking into how low) high in fat, BP cocoa, some meat and some veggies. It would be a good Idea to double check to see if I am doing this right.

I feel a little light-headed this morning, a sensation in the top back part of my head. Only issue so far.

I don't feel like I am going to faint… I used to faint a few times each year since I was in second grade. I was really worried when I got pregnant, but that seemed to cure me. I haven't passed out since and it has been ten years! Almost 20 years of fainting cure with pregnancy.

 

8pm

I noticed a light headache in the area of behind both ears. I have a tenderness on my cheeks like when I have sinus issues. I feel slightly dizzy when I move my head quickly, it takes a moment for me to adjust.  

I do feel different, a bit drowsy. I haven't felt hungry yet. 

[Liberator]

Feeling good now. Reading Carb Back Loading by J. Keifer.

 

Into day 4 of ultra low carb experiment, I was back up to 150lb before I started a few days ago, down to 146lb today. Brain feels different, like it is active not foggy or lethargic. 

 

According to the book this is how the body responds:

Day 1-4

Carb Depletion

Body burns through glycogen reserves. Weight loss is 60% water and the rest is fat.

 

Day 3-6

Ketone Buildup

Body replaces its fuel needs with ketones. This timeframe contains the cross-over point where the body no longer has carbs to burn.  Prepare for a bit of mental lethargy.

 

Day 7-10 

Fuel Reorientation

The body adapts to life without carbs. End of mental lethargy, brain is now adjusted to ketone use.

[Endor]

I am grateful for the money to afford a wonderful grass-fed flank steak, yum yum!

I am grateful for the my winkles on my face, created from all the smiling and laughing and good living…. so worth it.

How good is grass fed steak? I hada  grain fed steak this week, I didn;t know before I ate it and said to my wife "where did you get this steak it's not right, it tastes weird in a bad way" Grain Fed and it showed.

 

Umm, this made me laugh with regard to "winkles" on your face!!

[Liberator]

How good is grass fed steak? I hada  grain fed steak this week, I didn;t know before I ate it and said to my wife "where did you get this steak it's not right, it tastes weird in a bad way" Grain Fed and it showed.

 

Umm, this made me laugh with regard to "winkles" on your face!!

lol!   Did I mention I am a bad speller?

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

      PM

I am grateful for new challenges to keep me focus and help me make small changes that make a big difference.

I am grateful I made it through another challenge I was far from perfect but I learned a lot and made progress.

I am grateful the power of being positive, keeping positive and being around positive people is an amazing catalyst for transformation.

I am grateful for a very happy child who is a joy to be with even though he gets into all my butter and spreads it all over the house and even gets it on the ceilings.

I am grateful for ceilings to catch all the flying butter.

I am grateful for the ability to edit posts 

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes

#3- Diet: Sugar:

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Very good!

Food: BP coffee, cheese, water, BP cocoa

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

Last day of challenge. I wasn't good about daily exercise or meditation. I did a lot with my diet, I now have plenty of fats and protein!  My sugar intake is way down. I am using stevia and adjusting to the taste. Into day 5 of ultra-low carb and all is well. I am looking into the amount of carbs I have been eating and it looks like I am doing ok staying under 30 grams. 5 more days to go before carb nite. Weight is down a bit. 

 

I did four sessions of weight lifting during this challenge, snow days prevented me from using the gym more. Next challenge I want 12 sessions of lifting. 

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

I am grateful for J's progress dressing himself. I watched him put on a shirt by himself (without prompting!) and he checked to make sure he had it on the right way and fixed the sleeve that was inside out. It is a big moment!!! I am so grateful for his moments of independence! I can't tell you how many times we have had to fix his shirt! 

      PM

I am grateful for figuring out one possible cause of my skin issues, good bye nuts!

I am grateful for the day off and the rest of the week too!

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done

#3- Diet: Sugar:

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine - Done

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Very Good, slept in until 10 

Food: BP coffee, 3 macadamia nuts, pepperoni, tomatoes, 

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

Skin is looking really good!

 

2pm 

Ate 3 macadamia nuts cheeks got red! Skin feels itchy. I do believe we have found an answer! Going to eliminate nuts, which I have been eating all the time as a mid-afternoon snack, and see what happens! Still doesn't explain the steak, shrimp and lobster Alfredo (or nacho appetizer) reaction so I might have something else as well.

 

Happy to know a cause to my skin issues! I will miss you nuts! Especial macadamia nut brittle, you were one of my favorites! Mexican sundae I will miss you too! But most of all I will miss my beloved hazelnut gelato and nutella crepes, I will never forget you! You have deeply enriched my life and are wonderful gifts to the world! â€¦.  I am thankful for the time we had together, Paris and Rome… I hope others can enjoy you as much as I have….

[Endor]

Ah that's very cool if you have it narrowed down to nuts, great to find a cause. Mmmm Nutella crepes, I would miss those too!

 

Maybe some of the other stuff you think has given you a reaction has been cooked in some kind of nut oil?

[Barfly]

Pine nuts in the Alfredo?

[Liberator]

Pine nuts are seeds but if there was some in the sauce I could also could be allergic to them as well.

Nut oils are something I will need to watch out for. 

 

Eat lots of nuts so I will need to make some adjustments.

 

It's been six hours since I ate the three nuts and I am still reacting, headache & skin issues & swollen throat.

 

I will miss nuts but I am going to feel so much better! 

[Liberator]

Crap… no more Kind bars 

 

I think I am definitely going to lose weight… lots of favorite foods have nuts.  

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

I am grateful for a lunch with my mother, she is an amazing person and deserves more of my time and attention.

I am grateful for the daily evidence of J's progress and maturing.

I am grateful for experiencing such a rich and blessed life.

I am grateful for two good feet, I found an old envelope with x-rays of my left foot from 1997 when I last sprain my ankle. It is so cool to see the detail and texture of the bones and how the bones form the arch of the foot… fascinating. I want to do an artwork, drawing on something from it.

I am grateful for the pleasure of writing. It feels like such a luxury to take time to do this writing. It is a great joy to sit and be thoughtful about my life and the people around me. 

      PM

I am grateful for another day of family time.

I am grateful for an open mind and a feeling of acceptance from my family and friends.

I am grateful for a beautiful house that somehow survives all that we do in it. J is rough on this old house!

I am grateful for space in which to create and meditate.

I am grateful for a son who wants to share his love of Pokemon with me. 

 

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done.

#3- Diet: Sugar: Stevia 

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Very Good

Food: BP coffee, water, spinach salad w/avocado, BP cocoa,  

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

Day 7 of ketosis, wow, I have a lot of energy and I feel great!  

Setting up a mediation and yoga room! and working on a spot for lifting in the basement as well.

[Liberator]

Main Quests

#1- Gratitude

      AM

I am grateful for this challenge, I don't want it to end!

I am grateful for sunshine and sunrises.

I am grateful for life's challenges, they help to build your strength and internal fortitude.

I am grateful for a beautiful body that just seems to get stronger.

      PM

#2- Meditation -  10 minutes - Done

#3- Diet: Sugar:

#4- Exercise (3x Week)

      Squat Routine 

      Pushups

      Planks 

 

Side Quests

Sleep: Good, up early.

Food: BP coffee, water

Creative outlet:   (1 x week)

 

Note:

[Liberator]

[Liberator]

I tallied all the entries and this is how things added up

 

Exercise 3x week - 13/18

Weight-lifting - 5/6

Belly Dancing - 2/6

Meditation -  29/42

Gratitude - 27/28

 

Sugar - Successfully weaned off 

Skin - Possible nut allergy

Creative outlet - 2/6

 

I was most successful with the gratitude statements because I loved doing them, they made me happy!

I fell behind with the exercise, I did better first challenge with squats and pushup in the morning. I changed to a longer routine but I couldn't get it done in the am so I didn't build the habit.

Weight-lifting is coming along, I missed one week because school was closed for snow.

Meditation is still a habit I am working to develop

Belly dancing class was missed because my husband had stuff to do.

 

Diet, I feel I have transformed my diet, I am much more in control of sugar and carbs! 

Creative outlet, well…. an area to work on! 

[TennisGeek]

...

I was most successful with the gratitude statements because I loved doing them, they made me happy!

...

 

Your gratitude made my happy too. Thank you very much for writing up a lot of them.

[Liberator]

Your gratitude made my happy too. Thank you very much for writing up a lot of them.

Thanks so much. I want to keep doing them for next challenge.