Whole 30 (1/3 done!)

Happy New Year!

I hope you 2015 is going great!  I am kicking off 2015 with my first goal!  Completing the whole30!

I am on day 10 right now!  I have added a page with a list of all my meals for the past 10 days along with how I have been feeling.

Quitting sugar is hard!  No only do I have to say no to things but also grocery shopping to find no sugar added products is hard!  Why is there sugar in almost all the bacon!?!  Also in sausage and canned tomatoes!  Avoiding sugar has been the hardest part and with withdraw symptoms of headaches and nausea are not fun.  I really don't like knowing that I am pretty much a sugar addict.  I didn't think I was until I started cutting the late night ice cream and morning sugary cereal bowl!

At first I thought no dairy would be the next hardest part.  I am not so much addicted to dairy but it is a comfort food and I am learning to live without.  It really is just extra stuff that I don't really need to make my meals delicious.  This is nice to learn but still can't wait to make a cheesy veggie omelete when this is over.

All the other restrictions haven't been too bad.  I have previously tried going low carb so I have found ways around bread and other grains.  No legumes isn't so bad because my fiance doesn't like beans so I don't cook with them too often.  No alcohol hasn't been bad but haven't had the real temptations quite yet.   No carrageenan, msg, and sulfites is also difficult if you buy anything no fresh...No baked goods, junk food or treats isn't too hard either.  I eat plenty of fruit and cinnamon sweet potatoes to satiate that.

So have you ever tried Ghee?  Ghee is clarified butter that originated in India.  It doesn't have to be refrigerated and has a funky texture but I love cooking with this new butter!  I actually made my own ghee by using unsalted organic butter and an always reliable Alton Brown recipe.  You can buy this in stores but you may find it in the international food aisle and not by the butter since it is mostly used in middle eastern cooking and doesn't require refrigeration.

I am learning that I have been doing a version of the whole30 since I started this journey to get fit.  Many of my recipes still fit within the restriction of the diet with a possible few tweaks.  One of my favorite food is spaghetti as I have mentioned before so my zoodle "spaghetti" is favorite healthy twist on this meal.  I make zucchini noodle with my Vegetti and saute them to heat them up.  I take a couple of cans of diced tomatoes and blend them smooth as my sauce while adding Italian seasoning if not already added. Then I heat up the sauce in a skillet with my added veggies.  I am always mixing it up with mushrooms, peppers, onions, and spinach.  Once the sauce is hot and starting to boil, I add the sauteed zucchini noodles, mix and serve!  So easy!  So delicious!  And so easy to personalize to your taste or mix up if you get bored!

Check out my whole30 page for other recipes that I have been making these last 10 days!

Results so far?  The whole30 program suggests not weighting yourself but I have the end of my 6 month dietbet to weigh in for on the 15th!  So I have ignored that rule and I am happy to say that I am 3.2 lbs down!  How awesome is that!  I have been tracking my food as well so I can report back and it is so easy to stay within your calories when you are eating whole foods!  I try to keep track of my macros with myfitnesspal to make sure I am getting my protein and fats in while keeping my sugar carbs in check.

Looks like I am going to make my final weighin for my 6 month weight in!  That means I have lost 10% in 6 month!  I started at 180 and I have lost 18 lbs!  One step closer to my ultimate goal!

Thanks for reading!

2015 New Year Resolutions

Who is ready for 2015!?

Are you ready with you New Years Resolutions for 2015?  I did a lot of thinking and I decided to make some difference resolutions.  These resolutions are really all my goals for 2015.

Here are my 15 goals for 2015!

1. Run Another Half Marathon

-I have really been slacking on keeping my mileage up. I would like to do another half marathon to make sure I keep my mileage up and I enjoyed the thought of working towards a specific event

2. Whole 30

-More on this below

3. Go Kayaking or paddleboarding

- I live by the water and why haven't I done this yet?

4. Watch a Sunrise at the beach

-See above

5. Plan a Budget/make the most of our money

-I would like to really make a budget and see if we can spend money wiser in areas.

6. Newbie Triathlon

-I would really like to try a triathlon event!

7. Painting Class

-I've always wanted to take one of those wine and canvas classes!

8. Star gazing at the beach

-The national seashore near us has a star gazing area that I would love to check out

9. Get Married

-Ek! This is the year! We are currently less than 4 months away!

10. Visit a Texas Brewery or Winery

-I want to explore more of Texas really and this seams like a good way to do that

11. Try 2 new Vegetables

-You know how you get to food ruts? I would like to expand my vegatables

12. Visit 2 new state parks

-Rosalie loves going new places and what better way to explore more of texas with my furchild

13. Run at least 5 5ks

-I really think 5ks are a great distance and I love getting out there and running with a group of strangers while feeling like one of the team.

14. Read 4 books

- I have a long list of books to read!

15. Bike to Watergardens and back

-I would love to bike to our downtown area from my apartment and back. It is about 8 miles to get there and I think it is completely do able but may have to work on my bike mileage first before I try the there AND back.

Okay guys I want you to keep me accountable and I will keep you up to date as I work on these goals!

Whole 30:

Okay so i read "It starts with food" after it was recommended to me. I found the book really interesting and started thinking about trying this nutrition reset. After dieting for a while and really learning more about my body I know that sugar really has a strong affect on me. I have thought about trying a no sugar added diet before. I encourage you to read the book and check out the Whole30 website. The diet is very restrictive, I am not going to lie. But I think it will be a good challenge as I am only months away from the big day and am still very far from my goal. So here is what I will be cutting out.

"Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, stevia, etc. Read your labels, because companies sneak sugar into products in ways you might not recognize. 

Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking. (And it should go without saying, but no tobacco products of any sort, either.) 

Do not eat grains. This includes (but is not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, amaranth, buckwheat, sprouted grains and all of those gluten-free pseudo-grains like quinoa. This also includes all the ways we add wheat, corn and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ, starch and so on. Again, read your labels. 

Do not eat legumes. This includes beans of all kinds (black, red, pinto, navy, white, kidney, lima, fava, etc.), peas, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts. No peanut butter, either. This also includes all forms of soy – soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and all the ways we sneak soy into foods (like lecithin). 

Do not eat dairy. This includes cow, goat or sheep’s milk products such as cream, cheese (hard or soft), kefir, yogurt (even Greek), and sour cream… with the exception of clarified butter or ghee. 

Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites. If these ingredients appear in any form on the label of your processed food or beverage, it’s out for the Whole30. 

Do not try to re-create baked goods,  junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients. Continuing to eat your old, unhealthy foods made with Whole30 ingredients is totally missing the point, and will tank your results faster than you can say “Paleo Pop-Tarts.” Remember, these are the same foods that got you into health-trouble in the first place—and a pancake is still a pancake, regardless of the ingredients. "

So now you may be saying "Gretchen, you are nuts! there is no way you will be able to do that. What will you eat?" Veggies, fruits, protein, and fats. That's not so bad and it is only for 30 days! I plan on starting Janruary 1st as a great kickstart to 2015. I'm not saying it will be easy but i think it will be a good change of pace and hopefully I learn something new. I hope to track my food and impressions daily and will report at least once a week on how the Whole30 is going. Christmas had it's ups and downs and I haven't checked where I am at weight wise yet. I will document my weight and inches. Anyone else interested in a reset to begin 2015?

Thank you for reading!

1 Year ago Today

My last two posts were very specific about my first duathlon and half marathon but what else is happening?

Well today is my 1 year anniversary of deciding to really change my life.  The start of my journey I was 221 lbs and decided to try a diet plan that my best friend had been very success full with.  Also I wanted to be able to run a mile non-stop.  I was 23 years old and couldn't run a mile.  I was in a size 18 jeans.  I wasn't happy with my body even though I had "accepted" it.

Today, I am 57 lbs down.  I have earned $227.52 through dietbets.  I have completed a duathlon and a half marathon.  Most importantly, I have learned so much about food, health, and fitness.  I still have a lot to learn but here are some things that I think have really changed helped me on my journey to fit and fab.

• Vegetables!  Eat your vegetables.  I know I don't always do this but I try to fit them or even sneak them in whenever I can.  This is something I learned quickly when starting out on Medifast.  Trying to get all my greens in was hard.  But get creative or look up some great recipes or mix things up!    

• These is always a healthier version of your favorite dish it just takes some effort.  I have found healthier alternatives for cheesy breadsticks, pizza, spaghetti, chick-fil-a, and so much more!  The internet is full of great information and recipes!

• The outdoors is the best gym there is.  I enjoy running, biking, walking and all these things can be done with out a gym membership!  I will say that I am lucky to live in warm and sunny south Texas which helps a lot.  :D

• Get out of your comfort zone!  This is an easy one...not.  Step out, try something new.  I don't mean the newest diet crazy.  I mean try a new recipe, a new fruit, vegetable, a new sport or activity.  Check Groupon.  Is there a deal for a fitness class near you?  Try it out!  That's how I found out about rowing and they were a very welcoming community!

• Motivation.  This can be very difficult.  There are times where I keep stepping on the scale and I don't see what I wanna see.  This can bring my whole mood down.  I try to stay motivated with blogs and podcasts regularly.  My favorite podcasts are Tips of the Scale and Half Size Me.  They have inspirational stories of people that have faced great challenges to reach their goals. They also have professionals on to talk about fitness, nutrition, and lots of other information.  Are you you into something specific like running, triathlons, Paleo, or crossfit?  There are podcast that are specific to all sorts of stuff!  I like the Everyday Runners podcast.  This podcast makes me say if they can do it why can't I?  Also I have started listening to Tri Swim Coach as I start thinking about training for my first Triathlon.  There are so many podcasts out there!  Not all of them are specific to you but there is always something to learn!

That is just a few of the things that I've learned and have really helped me throughout this year.  If you have any questions feel free to email me at Gretchen.ward14@gmail.com!  

Here is to another year of firsts and personal records and new adventures!  Oh and a wedding dress! ;)

57 lbs down, Duathlon and Half Marathon Finisher

Thank you for reading and following me on my journey to get fit and fab! 

I see scale movement!

So I haven't posted in awhile because I didn't think I had any good news since the scale wasn't really moving.  It wasn't going up or down.  I've been slacking on controlling my portion sizes and making good food decisions.  On the bright side I haven't gained...I am hoping this mean that maintaining when I reach my goal will mean being comfortable and not worrying all the time that I'm gaining.  That is still 40 lbs away though and I want to enjoy my journey there.

I have another confession.  I skipped a long training run. :\ I was supposed to do 9 miles last weekend but decided not to do it.  My fiance was home all weekend which is rare occurrence with his schedule and I decided to enjoy the whole weekend with him.  Good news is I was already a week ahead on my training schedule so as long as I don't skip any more I will be ready to go for my half next month!
Next confession,  I lost a dietbet.  I'm not happy with myself for not trying harder but I just wasn't into it like I have been lately.  4% in a month is starting to get harder and harder to achieve.  I am still doing my 6 month transformation dietbet and am hoping to reach the goal of weighting 165.6 which is 8% from where I started this dietbet.  I have lost 13.2lbs since July 15th.  That is about 4.5 lbs a month which isn't bad!  I have been feeling bad about not losing weight fast enough but when I stand back and look at the long term I am impressed with myself.  I'm still on the journey.

Meltdown Challenge is still going as well!  I almost forgot that it was a weightloss challenge with all the great information that it has be sharing.  I have to lose 6% in 6 weeks.  Right now there is only 20 days left and I still have 5.12 lbs to lose. eek!  I believe that I am making the changes and decision to reach that goal though but the next couples weeks will REALLY test me.

Today I weighted in at 166.8.  I have 6 days to shed the last 1.2 lbs so I am kicking it into gear!  I am back to doing more medifast meals to keep my calorie count low but still full with plenty of protein and low carb.  I found that my portions were starting to get out of control again and needed to remind myself what I really need to sustain myself.  This is a battle that I think I'll be fighting for the rest of my life but I am happy I am aware of it.

So some positive things!  My fiance and I bought bikes!  I love it!  We have biked to dinner and biked to the movies!  I have even started biking to work!  Today is my third day!  I am not biking everyday because by the time I bike home I don't feel like working out and I still have a half marathon that I'm training for!  I'm trying to do three days a week and I am enjoying burning the extra 500 calories a day just commuting!  I will say that riding home is harder since it is usually warmer and I am riding into the wind!

Yesterday I didn't bike to work so I decided to go for a long run since I slacked enjoyed this weekend.  I decided to try a way different route and ran towards the bay and found out its only 3 miles from my apartment!  How amazing is that?  I am so thankful and lucky to live in a place like this!  I definitely believe that the weather is what helps me keep moving!  I love sunny south Texas!  Here is a selfie I took when I reached as far as I could go north with out swimming!  This definitely wasn't one of my strongest runs and I could tell I haven't run for a couple of days but I still enjoyed the run.

Okay, like I said earlier the next couple of weeks are going to be a challenge.  Next week, I am taking the week off because my family is visiting!  My youngest brother and sister and flying for their very first time to come see their big sister!  I am so excited to share my new home with them!  I know they are happy to defrost from the Indiana weather! :P  Wish me luck as my routine changes and I try to navigate staying on plan!  Staying active and everything in moderation is the key!  I'll be repeating that over and over again in my head!

I think my scale is broken

Last post I was avoiding the scale like the plague. Well last night I weighted myself because I signed up for a dietbet.  I hopped on and the scale read 181 lbs.  I knew it would be up, especially since I was weighing myself in the evening and after dinner.  But this is only 2.8 lbs higher than right before vacation.  Woohoo!

I knew I would have to weigh myself in the morning to get a more accurate weigh-in.  So this morning I woke up grudgingly, walked Rosalie, turned on the Keurig, and hopped on the scale.

177.2  

Nope.  Stepped off and stepped on again

177.2

What?  No way...that is impossible.  That is 1 lb less than right before vacation.  I just don't know what to think.  Is my scale broken?  Did I lose all my muscle?  I definitely don't think I ate less than I was burning.  Did I gain and then I was so scared of how much I gained that I already lost it and then some?  Doubtful. I just don't know.  Either way I'm happy with how my body is feeling again and I am just going to keep on going!

In the last post I also mentioned my need to lots of motivation!  Well I think I have that now!  As I said earlier I signed up for dietbet that another weight loss blogger is hosting.  I had taken a break from dietbets after losing all my winnings from previous dietbets and not willing to lose more.  I don't know what in me decided it was time to get back into it but I joined at the cost of $35 dollars.  I am now in control of whether or not I'll get that money back.  To get that moola back, I have to lose 4 % by early August.  I weighed in last night since the dietbet started today.  At 181 lbs, I have to get down to 173.8.  But after this morning's weight-in that is only 3.4 lbs away!  Winning this dietbet will be just so much sweeter if I can beat it and then some!  Why not go for 4% from 171.2?  I am going to set the goal for myself to be into the 160s by the time this diet bet ends!  I mean Why settle?

To help me reach my dietbet goal, I signed up for a 5k this weekend.  This was probably a crazy idea especially since I haven't been running much for the last two weeks.  I won't be beating any personal records.  My goal is to just pass the finish line and get a good workout in to help me to my long term goal.

I think I am sufficiently motivated for the time being!  Wish me luck and I'll report back how my 5k went next week!  Thanks for reading!

Unhappy with the scale and looking forward to some trees!

I am extremely unhappy with my scale right now.  I am back into the 180s.  I don't know why and it bothers me.  It could be because of my food choices but I have been burning more than I have been eating.  Though what I have been eating has not always been the best choice.  Maybe its my body building muscle...Maybe my body just needs a rest day.  I have also started to get a stitch on my right side every time I run and even when I just fast walk.  I am still doing the Runner's World Run Streak.  I have ran at least a mile for 13 days in a row now.  I am also still doing Rowing 3 days a week and yoga at least once a week.  I think a rest day is definitely in my future.

Whatever it is, I don't like what I see on the scale.  These are days that I wish I didn't look at the scale 2-3 times a day.  I need to get my scale addiction under control and just go to a weekly weigh in.  I am not going to weight myself till Saturday morning which is right before my trip.  My goal for the trip is to at the least try to maintain.  I don't want to lose all the progress that I have made, my weigh-in Saturday will be my point of reference when I come back.

Now I need something to cheer me up.  So I took some measurements and here they are!

(Inches)	Nov '13	June '14	Difference
Upper Arms	17.2	15.0	2.2
Chest	43.6	41.0	2.6
Waist	44.6	36.3	8.3
Hips	47.0	42.0	5.0
Thighs	49.4	43.2	6.2
		Total:	24.3''

I have lost 24.3 inches since November!  I can definitely see it in my clothes and it feels great!

Also here is my Dietbet update:

Now back to my trip!  Josh is finishing up training after 6 long weeks in Oklahoma!  Saturday, we are going to meet up in Dallas where we both have our connecting flight to Jacksonville, FL.  We won't be in Jacksonville for long because we are hoping on a cruise for the Bahamas right after landing!  We are cruising with some friends from college and I can't wait to see some old faces!  It will definitely be testing my will power with all the delicious food and treats on the ship but I am hoping that I can stay active and make some good choices!  There is a gym on the ship so there is no excuses!  I am hoping I will even have a workout buddy or two!  We'll see if I can pry them out of bed ;) We already have kayaking and snorkeling planned for one of the ports and maybe some sight seeing at another!  After the cruise, we hop off the ship and will fly nonstop to Chicago for one my very good friend's Wedding!  The wedding is at an Arboretum and I can't wait to see some trees!  Seriously, I miss trees.  I love the south Texas winters and beach, but man I miss the Midwest's trees!  In Chicago, we will meet up with some other old friends and I'm sure we will have a blast celebrating the wedding.  This all means that I won't be posting next week but I will definitely update about the trip and my battle with the scale when I get back!  Hopefully I can stay away from too many high calorie and high carb alcoholic drinks!  Wish me luck and Thanks for reading!

Runner's High?

So I had an amazing run yesterday and here is why...I got home late from work because I was staying after to build up sometime for a doctors appointment coming up so my Wednesday was already behind schedule.  Then I tried to go to my apartment's treadmill and it was blocked off because they are making repairs to the pool.  Grr.  So then I had to convince myself that not running wasn't an option.  I have made it this far on the C25k and I don't want to give up now!  So I decided to run outside even though that wasn't my plan.  It was in the high 40s and very windy, at first I was mad that I had to run in that weather but by the end I was grateful for the breeze. 


Then I ran by a man in a motored wheelchair.  The fact that I was mad and complaining to myself about having to run outside seemed petty then.  I should be thankful and happy that I have the time, energy, and capability to run with others don't.  The rest of my run I was delighted and thankful for every step, every burn, and every sensation.  Is this the runner's high?  I ran for a new record of 28 min as I finished Week 8 Day 1 of C25k.  I also ran for the biggest distance of 1.9 miles with an average pace of 14:44!  If that isn't a runner's high then I don't know what is.  I can't wait for my next run and the next high! 


I don't know why I haven't been running before this!  But I do know.  I was always scared that people would see me running and think that is the ugliest run I have ever seen, look at her fat flap, or that they would yell something negative.  I guess now that I am adult and have more self confidence that I don't care.  (A little something that my fiancé has taught me) The only people that I will accept criticism from are the other people running around the block with me.  No one can judge me if they see that I'm putting forth the effort to become a better me! 


In other news, Weekly fitbit update!  I'm kicking butt and taking names!  As you can tell I'm kind of competitive and I made my goals while kicking my friends butts!  I love my fitbit! 

Still working on sticking to the plan and not falling off.  Weekends are always the hardest because I have so much more time yet don't want to do anything.  I hope to stick to it this weekend so wish me luck! 


Thanks for reading!