2/3 of the way ALREADY! It feels like I just started the challenge not too long ago and it's already zipping by so fast. It's funny how my attitude towards this new lifestyle has changed so dramatically. I dreaded the days in the first week, and I resented not being able to eat what I wanted to eat, but now.... it doesn't matter. I feel really good inside and out, and I know for a fact that my mood has just been significantly more stable despite external stimuli.
I used to go through these crazy ups and downs and my emotional landscape was like an unexplored minefield. Part of it had to do with my hunger and low blood sugar and just busy days and a lot of stress, and part of it had to do with personal things that affected me in many negative ways. I felt like it was a crushing burden, and sometimes it still feels that way, but I think with the combination of the whole 30 challenge + the adoption of a yogic lifestyle, I have found that I can manage my demons a little better.
Today is a day of reflection. I enjoyed my casserole, tossed in a little bit of the crispy carnitas and warmed it up. Munched on some deliciously sweet bell peppers and tomatoes and topped off my meal with a satisfying small handful of sweet sweet grapes. The flavors of food. The textures of food. It's amazing how much we miss all of it when it's buried under all those artificial sweeteners and preservatives, when it's so processed you can't even pronounce half the ingredients. I definitely have a new found appreciation for what makes those natural life giving calories so delicious. I'm curious to see how my taste buds will react when I crack open that box of Frango dark chocolate mint that I've left on the counter since the new year. I'm curious to know if I will relish the sweet semi bitterness of the chocolate and bask in the sugary goodness of the morsel, or if I'll be overwhelmed by the sweetness and immediately feel sick to my stomach. hm. maybe I should wait on that. I don't want to ruin my return to chocolate!
So on this ridiculously cold day, I wish you all a warm night-- a soft fluffy kitty by your side, a huge warm all enveloping down comforter, or a person you can cuddle up with to keep each other warm.
til next time, EAT WELL and BE WELL!!
cupcakes
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Days 15 of 30! HALF WAY THERE!
I was so swamped yesterday, that day 15, the fantastical half way point came and went without being noted in history!
Day 15: a recap
What a day. Half way through the challenge and it was pretty action packed. It's been a pretty hectic week especially since getting the tutorials started up and yoga studio membership signup. I've probably already got my money's worth for the month. Despite the craziness, I think it's been so great to be working with such a fantastic group of people and I'm trying to stay optimistic about our surgery interest group endeavors. Without the effort and time volunteered by the peer instructors and without the dedication of the students who attend and participate, there's no way we'd have ever gotten this going. I'm so excited to see where this goes and I hope it becomes a part of the med school culture here.
But, it was also a big milestone in a lot of ways besides academics. Half way through the challenge i've noticed a few things.
1. I'm less tired during the day. There's not much of a mid afternoon crash anymore. I make my coffee in the morning because it's the only amount of time i allot to pack my lunch and it's part of my wakeup ritual and drink some of it. I don't need the afternoon coffee run. If i go, it's just an excuse to socialize with people because I don't usually end up drinking most of it anyway. Coffee consumption: down. Energy: up. Sleep: probably close to the same as usual. Even on nights when i don't sleep well or get many hours, I still feel significantly better with better attention and focus.
2. They tell you you're not supposed to weigh yourself during the challenge. I had no intention of doing so, but I can tell that the holiday weight I gained is rapidly melting off. It's only been two weeks and the combination of yoga has made me feel fit and spry. my hello jello is also decreasing in jiggliness and I feel stronger and more centered during yoga.
3. I would love to say that my skin is clear and glowing and i've seen improvements in the shininess of my hair or the strength of my nails but i haven't seen any changes in that. so, i'm sure it would benefit some. i'm still waiting
4. It's easy for me to say no to others, but it's hard to say no to myself. Practicing due diligence with this challenge has been interesting. Both in the way my friends perceive it and in the ways they support me and in the ways that I perceive it and the ways i support myself. I haven't told a lot of people about it, but those i have told have been great and supportive and encouraging and considerate. Even going out and hanging out at the bars, it's been easy for me to say no thanks i don't want to try your beer. And have a fun time chatting with people and catching up. Someone told me, if you don't like hanging out with your friends when you're sober and they're drunk, then why are you friends with them? The hardest parts of resisting have been internal. example: when i go to seminars or buying and setting up snacks for our surgery interest group events. There's a huge abundance of cookies, candies, chips, crackers, drinks...... telling myself no is hard. sometimes i just want to take a nibble. I want to taste the snickers bar or eat an oreo cookie. but then the urge goes away pretty soon after that. I'm just adding things to my list of FOODS I WILL DEVOUR AT THE END OF THE CHALLENGE!!!!! or just take one bite of each.
No recipe for day 15. It was a day of thoughtful reflection.
til next time, eat well and be well.
Day 15: a recap
What a day. Half way through the challenge and it was pretty action packed. It's been a pretty hectic week especially since getting the tutorials started up and yoga studio membership signup. I've probably already got my money's worth for the month. Despite the craziness, I think it's been so great to be working with such a fantastic group of people and I'm trying to stay optimistic about our surgery interest group endeavors. Without the effort and time volunteered by the peer instructors and without the dedication of the students who attend and participate, there's no way we'd have ever gotten this going. I'm so excited to see where this goes and I hope it becomes a part of the med school culture here.
But, it was also a big milestone in a lot of ways besides academics. Half way through the challenge i've noticed a few things.
1. I'm less tired during the day. There's not much of a mid afternoon crash anymore. I make my coffee in the morning because it's the only amount of time i allot to pack my lunch and it's part of my wakeup ritual and drink some of it. I don't need the afternoon coffee run. If i go, it's just an excuse to socialize with people because I don't usually end up drinking most of it anyway. Coffee consumption: down. Energy: up. Sleep: probably close to the same as usual. Even on nights when i don't sleep well or get many hours, I still feel significantly better with better attention and focus.
2. They tell you you're not supposed to weigh yourself during the challenge. I had no intention of doing so, but I can tell that the holiday weight I gained is rapidly melting off. It's only been two weeks and the combination of yoga has made me feel fit and spry. my hello jello is also decreasing in jiggliness and I feel stronger and more centered during yoga.
3. I would love to say that my skin is clear and glowing and i've seen improvements in the shininess of my hair or the strength of my nails but i haven't seen any changes in that. so, i'm sure it would benefit some. i'm still waiting
4. It's easy for me to say no to others, but it's hard to say no to myself. Practicing due diligence with this challenge has been interesting. Both in the way my friends perceive it and in the ways they support me and in the ways that I perceive it and the ways i support myself. I haven't told a lot of people about it, but those i have told have been great and supportive and encouraging and considerate. Even going out and hanging out at the bars, it's been easy for me to say no thanks i don't want to try your beer. And have a fun time chatting with people and catching up. Someone told me, if you don't like hanging out with your friends when you're sober and they're drunk, then why are you friends with them? The hardest parts of resisting have been internal. example: when i go to seminars or buying and setting up snacks for our surgery interest group events. There's a huge abundance of cookies, candies, chips, crackers, drinks...... telling myself no is hard. sometimes i just want to take a nibble. I want to taste the snickers bar or eat an oreo cookie. but then the urge goes away pretty soon after that. I'm just adding things to my list of FOODS I WILL DEVOUR AT THE END OF THE CHALLENGE!!!!! or just take one bite of each.
No recipe for day 15. It was a day of thoughtful reflection.
til next time, eat well and be well.
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