New Challenge

So, the 30 day paleo challenge at school is over. I definitely had some successes, and had many learning experiences. I won't call them failures, because through my slip-ups, I've learned things.

First of all, I learned I don't like eating frozen veggies anymore. I used to eat them all the time, especially those boxes of Green Giant veggies that you just poke holes in the plastic bags and pop in the microwave. Yeah, not so much anymore. After eating fresh for even a few weeks, the difference in taste is absolutely astounding.

Second, I learned that I have to find other outlets for stress. I can't let what one or two people do or say completely derail my efforts. If I'm tempted to get off track, I need to call Mark and vent. I need to get dressed and go for a walk. I need to go down to the gym at school and just punch the crap out of the bags there. Anything to get my frustrations out, other than binge eating.

Third, I learned that I can't let one slip-up derail me. I don't have to say, "well, I'll do better next week." It has to become "I'll do better next meal!" Or even better than that, "I am not going to let myself down!"

But, I have to celebrate my successes, as well. Over this past month, I have majorly increased my water intake. I decreased my soda intake to practically nil (unfortunately, I have to count my bad days in there). I ate much healthier, and felt much better overall. On those days where I faltered, I felt horrible, physically.

Oh, and I lost 11 lbs over the month...even with the slip-ups and the trip to Vegas, I still managed to do pretty well.

Now, the question is...what's next?

Well, when I was in Vegas, I became friends with this great doctor and his super-sweet wife. I truly feel that things happen for a reason, and I'm glad I decided to go to Vegas even though things before the trip were shaping up pretty horribly.

These two people have to be a couple of the most genuine, generous, and selfless people I've ever met in my life. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have met them.

They also brought up something that they use in their practice that they thought I would benefit from. It is a homeopathic amino acid therapy that is used to help decrease inflammation, and basically help my body get out of its own way of losing the weight. So, I told them I would give it a shot. Over the next month, I'll be taking the amino acids and eating a more strict paleo-style diet. After the first 3 weeks, I go into reintroduction of other foods into my diet. Overall, this is meant to reset my metabolism. I know it is going to be tough, especially because I have finals and vacation coming up. But, I need to make the committment. I'll have a friend at school doing this program with me, and Doc and his wife have made themselves available to me 24-7. It will be good to have a solid support system!

So, here's to the next challenge!