The Whole Life Challenge Is On!

Tuesday, Jan. 14th: I'm pretty excited about my success through day 4 of the WLC. I've been perfect in my eating and other scoring. No cheats - at all. For those of you that aren't in the know, the WLC is a Paleo based challenge that incorporates other lifestyle aspects, as well, and Crossfit Littleton is hosting a team this winter with big prizes to the top 3 winners. So, in a nutshell, the rules are: no sugar of any kind, nothing artificial, no added chemicals, no grains, no dairy, etc. and no alcohol. There is also a daily requirement of taking a supplement (I do fish oil), 10 minutes each of exercise and stretching and one "lifestyle" requirement (the first 2 weeks is to drink 1/2 oz of water for every pound of body weight). So, basically, nothing processed. Eat real, whole food: meat, eggs, fish, chicken, lots of fruits and veggies. Makes perfect sense.

We also did our pre-WLC workout, measurements and photos at the gym on Saturday and lets just say, I was not thrilled with the results. I knew it wasn't going to be good, but I wasn't prepared for my hips and waist to be inches bigger than where I started the challenge last year. My hips are nearing 40 inches!!! Ouch. Although, after much thought, I realized that I've been doing a lot of squatting at the gym. Squats build glutes. So there.

So, without further ado, I present you with my "before" photos.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 21, day 11: I'm happy to report that I am still perfect for point scoring except for one missed workout day. I've been on my bike trainer a few times for 60 minute interval training sessions and my long run on Saturday was great; a full 1 minute average pace faster than my last 8 mile run about 3 weeks ago. Granted, there was a bit of snow and ice on the trail that day, but even so, I felt better on this recent run. I felt "bouncy"! I walked at the mile marks and sometimes a few seconds in between, but I'm OK with that. I'm training for an Ironman, after all. I expect to walk. A lot. Hopefully not A LOT, a lot, but lets face it, there will be walking. Especially on the hills. And I hear there are a lot of hills.

As of this past Saturday, I was also down 2 pounds from weigh-in day, so I'm happy about that, too! The eating part has been pretty easy, as I've been working pretty diligently to do lots of prep on the weekends. Now, when we open the fridge, just about 90% of the food in there is WLC compliant. That makes it really easy to put together a healthful and satisfying meal at moments notice. Oh, and Jason is down about 15 pounds in 10 days. Men! (I'm so proud of him.)

I haven't been hungry much between meals so the snacking is at a minimum, which is kind of the point. And my workouts have been strong and steady. No light-headedness or weakness.

That's all for now. Keep on Keepin' On!

January 2014 - Happy New Year!!

 

 

 

So, although I ate a pint of ice cream last night, I must say, I'm feeling pretty great after the bike workout I did before said ice cream and I'm ready to kick it into gear!!! I need to talk to Jason and maybe try to put in a morning workout once a week before work. That means getting up pretty early, but that's what you do when training for an IRONMAN!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!

(Who's idea was this again?)

So, I'm all of a sudden brimming with excitement and energy. I wish I wasn't stuck here at my desk today. And I really wish the gym down the street didn't close. Not nice, 24 Hour Fitness. Anyway, I did bring my clothes with me and I'll run after work. I will run after work. I will run after work. :-)

(ost script, 1/9: I DID run last night and it felt great. I think my favorite run workout right now is the 400m repeat with 2 minute walking rest between intervals. I feel fast and strong. And although it was a bit chilly (about 40 when I started) and there was snow all around, the sidewalks were clear and the cold air made me feel alive. I did 3.5 miles averaging around a 9:00 pace for my 400s. I think I was a bit faster than that but had to walk the street crossing since they were pretty snowy and icy and I didn't want to break my bottom.)

 

 

On Saturday, I am once again going to participate in the Whole Life Challenge at CrossFit, an 8 week Paleo and healthy lifestyle challenge that resulted in huge gains for me last year. I lost 3.5 inches total in my waist and hips over those 8 weeks and I'm hoping for the same or better results this time around. (Lord knows I packed those inches right back on over the past few months...) My fitness also improved which was obvious in my run times and my half marathon PR in May at the Colfax Half Marathon (2:17). Jason is participating, too, and I have a sneaky suspicion that he is going to see amazing results and blow me out of the water. Guys are just like that. So annoying...

 

And I am super excited for my bracelet, which was inspired by my friend's silver cuff.  It will be custom inscribed with "COURAGE  STRENGTH  BELIEVE" which will be just a few of the words and ideals that will keep me going throughout my long hours of training this year.

 

Here we go, 2014!!! Lets do this!