Day 29

We are the Champions!

I have a little Queen running through my head today! We did it! This really wasn't that bad. Besides being totally anti-social this month I think it's really doable. 

Hopefully down a pounds, it does help with the workouts when you're not carrying around the weight vest. It makes me want to buy my hubby a skin-tight outfit to wear out this weekend. He deserves it, right? 

Loving the CPM workouts, just can't get enough! Great group at noon today! Can't tell you how encouraging and uplifting noon is. Brett rocking his double unders and Emily and Angie on the pull-ups. Chris & Stets launching into outer space on their box jumps. I'm in awe and makes me want to work harder! 

Love my nooners!

Day 28

Saying Goodbye

I don't know if I want this to end. Am I really saying that? I really feel good, skin is better and I am sleeping better. Bonus that pull-ups are easier when there isn't as much excess around the middle. Just so many good things it's hard to thinking about going back. 

Reality, I am going to have a beer and a piece of cake again someday. My plan is to do this in moderation and special events. Keep on trying new recipes to add to our healthy cookbook binder and continue eating the good foods. Vegetables can be much more fun than I ever thought. And I love not feeling awful after I eat. 

28 days has had its ups and downs, but it just keeps building. And I ain't gonna stop believing! (Journey)

Day 27

Surroundings

The people you are around the most influence you the most. The coaches at the gym have mentioned this so many times and it is so true. I am definitely influenced by that crew. During the last 27 days, I really have relied on others going through this challenge, what to do when this or that happens and have found some great recipes from the coaches and those around me there.  Have also sent late-night texts to Emily and Becky to keep me on track! To all of you, I THANK YOU! 

It has also been fun to watch it at home with our boys and how this has influenced them and gotten them to try many new things. Sure they don't like them all, but proud they have given it the chance.

At the beginning, the days seemed to move slow but looking back now it has really flown by. This really wasn't that hard. I have gained a lot of awareness about food and about myself and maybe the need for a new pair of jeans ;)

Three more days is nothing. And my husband said he doesn't even want to stop. Maybe we'll keep going?  I am going to have a Summer Shandy next weekend and it will be delicious! 

 

Day 24

Better Food = Better Food

I may have turned a corner this week. For so long, I had the small portions and 1200 calories in my head is what I was "supposed" to be doing. Well supposed to really wasn't working for me. I would start Monday feeling gross and regretting bad food choices from the weekend which lead to trying to make up for it the rest of the week only to start the whole process over the next weekend, getting me NOWHERE!

This challenge has really opened my eyes to what was going in, when and why. NO CHEATS was a huge piece of this puzzle. All the little things I was doing to sabotage myself.  I also discovered, that when you're eating better food, the food is just SO much better you can eat more (duh!!). SO, when I'm eating the right foods I don't have to feel hungry which then leads to me not making bad choices.

I know this all seems so simple, but it's really digging down to do this that made me really see it.

Feeling thankful today. Getting excited for what happens after this. I want to keep it up. 

E&B shopping trip, here we come!!

Day 22

Ridiculous Workouts

Today's workout was another fall over, I'm done kind of workout. My FAVORITE. I love to walk out of there knowing I worked so hard I couldn't go another rep. Working hard and seeing results keeps us coming back. 

I need to think about this with food. Working so hard that I can't stop eating like this. This is 22 days of hard work I don't want to go down the drain. Feeling nervous I will screw it up after challenge is over. I have learned from these last 22 days that I need a written plan to succeed in food land. Otherwise, my attitude of do-as-I-go will put my spare tire back in tack. 

I love food, and I'm going to hang out with cookies and beer once again. However, THIS time it will be a special treat and planned. I'm going to control it. That's the plan. 

Day 18

The Hunger Games

Does anyone else ever wonder if they are the only ones hungry all the time? It's 3:35pm on Friday and I just ate my perfectly portioned meal of P, V and F only two hours ago. How can I possibly by hungry? Not just, "aw, I could go for a snack." (Level 2) Nope, this is feeling hungry. I do believe that I am always hungry. I think it's just to what level of hungry I am. It's time to clarify these levels:

Level 1
I just ate, but I could sure still find room for another bite of that!

Level 2
I'm passing through the kitchen, maybe I need a snack?

Level 3
It's almost time to workout, I bet I'll be starving after. Maybe a snack now?

Level 4
Everything smells delicious, I can't wait to eat!

Level 5
Dude. I need to eat soon.

Level 6
Get outta my way, don't talk to me. I will be eating NOW!

Level 7 - HIGH ALERT
I WILL EAT ANYTHING I CAN FIND. 


Thankful to say, I have not hit Level 7 this month as I would have been DQ'd. I have learned to have veggies in my car at all times for emergencies so I don't see this level. Is this real or am I mental about it all? 

Getting to Day 18 has really shown me about how important it is to prepare. I know what we will be eating tonight and that we have all the ingredients for it. This helps me knowing I can make it to supper and not mess up. Also knowing that what I will be eating in a couple hours is healthy for me and I will feel great after. It is a sense of accomplishment to me that I'm figuring out I can do it when I have a plan. 

I say to this Day 18, I GOT this. 


*By no means does this relate to anyone that is truly hungry. These levels of hunger are my own gluttony and I am truly grateful for all that I have.

Day 17

Shoeless Joe Jackson

Feeling pretty good. Maybe jeans a little looser? The sun is out and I'm pulling into my gym parking spot with the radio up ready to rock this workout. Grab my phone and grab my B A G....... darn it! There's no way I left that at home! Yes, I did. 

PANIC

I call Emily to vent about this "horrible" situation. How will I work out. I can't handle the stress! She's got a tank and pants that I can use. And a fantastic pair of running shoes in size 11. If I had a vice grip that would work, but when you wear an 8.5, you can't fudge size 11 shoes. I've got 3 minutes until the workout party starts. Shoeless? Sockless? What are my options? That shiny new Scheels sign sings to me and off I sprint. I've decided on way in that I must choose wisely from the clearance rack to justify this in my head. I make a straight shot to shoes and didn't even bump over any elderly people. Size 8.5 has two shoe options: one with weird writing on side and one pair of very bright orange, purple and white shoes that were extra 20% off. We have a winner!

I was feeling nervous if I'd be assigned extra burpees for being late walking in at 12:06, but I think my brightly colored shoes distracted them and they joined in the excitement of new shoes. Emily's clothes were a life-saver and I got in full workout. I found myself staring at my shoes and sort of being proud of myself. Somehow, I was a super-ninja shopper with cool shoes. Cracking deals and getting sh#t done.

Life must be pretty good if a gym bag going AWOL is the worst thing that happened today. I suppose I better return those wicked shoes. Or should I?

Thank goodness for great friends! And a great place to workout! 

#mycpmfamilyrocks

Day 17 = I didn't even mention food today. :)

Day 15

What's Your Poison?

I've had some chronic shoulder pain for over a year. I went to see a physical therapist who was working with me on some exercises to strengthen my shoulder. Going through these movements he asked about what I was eating. When it slipped about my daily diet coke his response was, "you have to quit drinking that crap. It's pure poison for your body!" 

I continued to drink my 3pm Diet Cole daily even though his words continued to ring in my ears.  Pre whole 30, I was rather concerned how i could make I through the day without my BFF, the diet coke. Fast forward 15 days and I don't miss it one bit. I really  think I can be done with that poison for a long time. Aren't you excited?!

I miss cheese
I miss a chilled summer shandy 
I miss baking cookies

Things I thought I would miss and don't on day 15:
Creamer in my coffee
Diet coke
Noodles
Peanut butter

This is truly interesting finding about what is physical and what is mental.
Now, if I could squeeze into a size 6 or 4 after this, that would be rad.

Day 12

Just get through it

This sometimes feels like a workout. Those workouts where you are just hanging on by a thread and telling yourself during the last 5 wall balls. Just finish. Don't stop. Don't slow down. And don't drop it! I am finding this with food, just don't stop, just get through it. 

I don't want to "just get through it" though. I want to take what I'm learning from this and adapt moving forward. Like when I leave a workout and think, I should have pushed harder or lifted heavier. I want to do this right. That mind set of getting through it.... OR instead -making it happen. 

It is so helpful when I've paused for a breath and Annie will say, "Three, two, one - LIFT!" Those words are it. In other words, don't think about it just do it. Those simple words really are it. Just do it. Don't just get through it. DO IT. 

Day 11

Friday night firepit

An unspoken rule in my neighborhood on great evenings. Fire, beer, s'mores and great company. Mine involved all of those things minus beer and a s'more and insurvived! It really wasn't bad.

Warm and gooey marshmallow roasted perfectly, crisp graham cracker and warm chocolate. Why would anyone want to enjoy one of those?

Uff dah

Day 11 - success 

Day 10

Cake

My son's birthday party is this weekend and he's requesting a homemade brownie cake with chocolate frosting and M&Ms on top. This treat is something I would normally slave over and make just perfect for him. Could someone please explain to me how there is anyway I'm not going to shove half of that thing down my throat? Do other people dream about food like me? All this talk is making is anxious. Anxious makes me want to eat. I was hoping week 2 the cravings go away? That business had better break in soon, or I will need a food intervention.

This is hard.

Not burpee hard or thruster box jumps hard, but I am in search for some affirmation tonight that this is worth it. 

I'm missing my food comfort. Maybe that's my peace. Food isn't peace. What is?
Day 10 = hard.

Day 9

Me and the pavement

Today's class workout looked fantastic! I really wanted to be there, but there was something about the prediction of 80 degrees and sun I just couldn't shake. Laced up my Asics and headed out the door. Left my garmin and headphones at home. Just wanted to run and nothing else. What a great feeling to just go and hear your breathing. After the first mile or so, the groove sets in and you can take it all in. 

It was a perfect day and was just what my heart needed.

I really miss cookies. I would really eat one right now. Thank goodness for duct tape.

Day 8

That was INSANE!

There are so many ways to feel good and this month is all about inside. I have to admit this real food does make me feel better inside. I wondered if it was all crazy talk, but starting to believe...

A great workout also makes me feel good. During those 20 minutes of pure insanity today, I may have thought otherwise. Halfway through EMOTM realizing I still had ten rounds to go, I didn't know if it was possible. I wanted to quit, but I can't quit. That nooner group lifts me up and keeps me going, knowing they are all working so hard! It is so motivating to be with a great group and rocking some loud music with coaches encouraging every step!

Afterwards, laying in a pool of sweat I may not have thought so either. Peeling myself off the floor, trying to stand or even stop sweating I wouldn't have thought. But walking out of the gym today with my great Rabbit friend, we looked at each other and said, "That was awesome!!" It truly was!

That workout was amazing and I felt so fulfilled all day afterwards. Along with the perfect proportions of protein, vegetables and fat I am calling Day 8 - SUCCESS!

My happiness

Day 7

Enjoy each day

Getting anxious for day 30. Instead of "getting done" I am trying to focus on each day and enjoying and learning every day. Easier said than done. On day three, I learned I CAN eat sweet potatoes. On day 6 I got excited to plan food for the week and on day 7, I learned that onions in my sweet potato hash is not recommended for morning meetings. Sorry homeowners!

There is a rumor going around the Bortnem household that bacon arrived from Omaha. Breakfast cannot get here fast enough! Feels like Christmas Eve!

Day 6

Sunshine

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day. I ordered a Tall Blonde at Starbucks with my husband which is quite a change from the Skinny Lattes I love. However, he was pretty excited with this order.

We were outside all day and the eating thing was easy peasy. Great food and no cravings. Maybe I'm getting somewhere or we all just needed a dose of sunshine.

Thanks sun!

Day 5

Back to the Future.

Day 5 feels hungry and wants chocolate chip cookies. Hoping Day 30 feels awesome and that I won't crave sugar. I wonder if Wonder Woman eats sugar? She's a B.A. that I'd like to be friends with. One with strong will-power, super powers and some sparkly bracelets. I bet she doesn't fall over doing box jumps either.

I wanted anything but vegetables today, but after a bag of carrots and some water I made it to supper. There is not 88 gigawatts to take me back if I cheat. So I CANNOT cheat. Glad day 5 is about over.

Day 4

Friday Night Party

Not my usual drink on a Friday night, but if you really want to funk up your evening try water on the rocks. If you're ready to go the distance, add wine glass. Now, let's party!

Popcorn and a movie at home with the kids tonight turned into pick your favorite fruit and a movie. The crazy thing is the kids didn't even miss the popcorn or ask about it. It was ME. How many of these habits am I creating? Yikes. 

They said this would be life-changing. 

Day 3

Measuring success.

In the month of April and what that entails, I'd really like to know how to measure my progress. That sounds like a good thing for the scale to tell me. However, Chris' words are ringing in my ear, "Anyone that weighs is DQ'd!" So, I hid that evil sucker in the closet to not tempt me. That thing will not break me.

But this challenge is not about the number, but how I feel and really truly sticking to this for 30 days. I have never done that before and want to see what I'm made of.

I thought I'd really miss Diet Coke. That hasn't been too bad, but I'd really like to guzzle a Gatorade or something with flavor. Chocolate milk. Lemonade. Or maybe eat some Milk Duds. Those are awful on your teeth.

It's also been great planning meals out with my hunky hubby. I would say success so far with that. AND he looks good in an apron ;) Measuring success through day 3, Marin = 1. 

Day 2

My lunch box

I used to bring my Strawberry Shortcake Lunch box to school in grade school. Mom had me pack healthy foods in it, but ONCE in a while I'd get something cool. Not as cool as the other kids' Hostess Cupcakes or Twinkies, but I'd get leftover frosting on a graham cracker. This was the bomb! Couldn't wait until 11:45 the next day to show off my fancy blue frosted graham cracker. Delicious!

Fast forward a few decades and I just got there again. After six strict meals, thanks to ideas from #brettmasterchef, whipped up some guac to smear in my lettuce wrap with taco meat. Seriously excited for lunch. This is cool.

And it's only Wednesday.
Just imagine what Friday could bring!

Day 1

No sugar head funk.

Today went pretty well. This headache is my body saying, "I want a Diet Coke!" I am rather excited to get rid of the poison, but definitely going to miss it. The food today was good, I can tell that I want something and just don't know what it is. Is that the sugar talking or is it habit that I want something sweet? Here's to Day 1 under my belt!

Pre Challenge Day

30 days of eating real. No excuses. No cheats.

Today is the day before the 30 day challenge. I am excited and pumped up for this. Run into Hy-Vee to grab some awesome food for tomorrow and realize I AM STARVING. Chocolate sounds great right about now. However, I don't want to fail on Day #1. Maybe a little scared someone will steal my rad pink robe, so I pass by the Kit Kats and gave that bar the finger. I can do this.

This is not me, by the way. I bet she doesn't eat Kit Kats. #goalphoto