No Fish in the Microwave

You know what I love? When one of my co-workers puts fish leftovers in the office microwave to re-heat and eat for lunch. Besides the awesome smell that fills the office, hallway outside the office, and universe, it makes whatever the next person (always me) chooses to microwave taste like fish. How is there not a "no fish in the microwave" law yet?

So, anyone want to guess what I had for lunch today? If you guessed fish air with a side of Larabar, you're right! Even when I drink water out of my Starbucks sippy cup, it tastes like fish water. Yes, I'm a little ornery today. Some people that know me might be like "today?"

I think I'll take advantage of this and post all the things that are bugging me at the moment with the hopes of getting them off my chest, and hopefully away for good:

-Its sunny out. (I want to be outside)
-It smells like dead rotting fish in here.
-My boss asking me questions he already knows the answers to...like a trap.
-Watching my co-worker apply for new jobs. Most likely all the same ones I just applied for.
-I got a new computer (tower only) and have zero desire/know-how to best transfer everything I need from this one to that one.
-My computer is so effing slow.
-I can't seem to drink water fast enough. Oh, yeah, it tastes like fish, I nearly forgot.
-The boss' wife's ring tone.
-So thirsty.
-Its 3pm and not 4:58pm

Ah. A little better. Most likely because once I write all the things out, I see how silly they are. Except for the fish in the microwave thing. Ok. I'm over it now, I promise.

Familiar Territory

I realized yesterday after chatting with a few friends that I completely overlooked something important in all my excitement of 35 pounds lost. I'm back at a place I have been a few times before. I'm back at my previous old "high" weight. I have lost weight from this point at least 2 times before, most likely 3, because I don't know what my high weight was in college before I got down to my all time adult low. In a sense its almost comforting?

For awhile, when I was struggling at weights 20, 30, even 35 pounds higher than this, I can remember wanting nothing more than to be where I am now...because this is what I know. I know how to lose weight from here. What a change that thinking is from the very first time I saw this number on the scale!

In 2003 I had my annual doctor's appointment, and I stepped on the scale fully clothed, to see the number I'm at now. I was shocked, but immediately wrote it off as "my heavy clothes." I began running regularly again, eating less, and quickly dropped 15 pounds. Slowly the weight crept back on. In 2005, I found myself at this number again. Fortunately, I worked mornings at a gym and had a free membership. I enlisted a friend to help keep me on track, and we had a "health competition." Again, I lost 17 pounds quickly and was pretty happy. A series of routine-changing events (bought a condo far from my gym, got a chef boyfriend, got a desk job where food was what we sold...)aided in not only the 17 pounds coming back, but much, much, more.

2010, here I am again. I vow that this will be the last time I ever have to lose weight from this point. The difficulty of carrying that weight is fresh in my mind, and I want to document it in words so I can come back here when I need to get myself back in line. This place I'm at right now...although I was so excited to get here from 35 pounds ago, is not a final spot for me. I will be just as happy to see it go as I did to see it come.

The serenity I feel now through my new way of eating makes this time around much more enjoyable than before. I feel so much more in control, sustainable, knowledgeable, powerful. I can't wait for what new things lurk around the corner for me. I don't know what they are, but I can tell they are going to be good.

New Shirt, Belt.... Who Am I?

In case you didn't notice, I lost another pound this week, bringing me to 35 POUNDS LOST since I started this blog/journey/whatever you want to call it. For some reason, 35 pounds just all of a sudden, sounds like A LOT. It sounds so much more than 30, or even 34! I am grateful and proud of myself beyond belief.

However, I think I have been desensitized to how much weight is a lot to lose by things like the Biggest Loser, and Jenny Craig ads, etc. I mean, seriously, I would not be amazed at all if a contestant on the Biggest Loser lost 35 pounds in the 12 weeks they are there. Even though that is TOTALLY healthy and a huge accomplishment. Now, if a contestant loses 35 pounds in one week, I'm jumping up and down cheering. I will be the first one to point out how effed up this is. Gotta love America, right?

So, to celebrate my victory I pulled out a shirt from my closet that I bought on super sale at least 3 years ago, if not more. It still had the tags on it. Its a simple green Calvin Klein t-shirt with huge black flowers printed all over it. When I bought it I thought, well, its so cheap, if it doesn't fit, oh, well. It didn't fit. I have tried it on periodically over the past couple of years, to see if maybe I was mistaken and it did fit? Nope. Well, I'm wearing it today. I'm also wearing a belt I haven't worn in over 4 years because the jeans I'm wearing I can take off without unbuttoning, or unzipping them. Yes, it might be time for new jeans.

I was craving junk food something fierce the other night. Not so much a craving, but just more wanted to rebel and do something "bad" (sabotage?). I've mentioned before how I use eating as a way to feel some adrenaline or endorphins because some foods are 'bad' and I shouldn't eat them. Luckily there was nothing in the house that could do any damage to my plan, so I whipped up this delicious (and healthy!) snack:

Into my Cuisinart went:
5 dates (pitted)
1/4 cup unsweetened organic coconut
3 tbsp. unsweetened organic cocoa powder

I blended these ingredients real well, then added 1/4 cup shelled walnut halves. I pulsed the mixture until the nuts were chopped, but still big enough to see.

I dumped the contents of the Cuisinart out onto some wax paper, and squished and molded the goo till it held together nicely, and formed it into a rectangle brick. I cut it in half, wrapped up the rest, and enjoyed my dense, chocolatey, sweet treat. It did the trick!

Running + Skirt = obscene

Yesterday I took my newly purchased running skirt out for a test run. I mean, yesterday I showed the entire neighborhood my ass, running. After I tried the skirt on, I thought it was a tad short, but I convinced myself that my judgment was wrong because I haven't worn shorts in a long time. Three steps into my run, I realized I had forgot to account for the bouncing that occurs while running. I had also forgotten to account for the fact that my large derriere might make the skirt slightly shorter in the back.

A few things I had going for me in the sense that less people may have been out and about then normal was 1) it was raining, and 2) it was Seafair weekend. So I jogged along, trying to get comfortable with the thought of just how short my skirt was by assuming no body was around. I figured I would take off streets to further reduce my chance of people encounters, and cut my run short if I couldn't stop thinking about my skirt.

I liked how light-weight, and non-restrictive the skirt was. It was like I was wearing nothing. Well, technically, if you saw me from behind, you might think I was wearing nothing. The skirt has little biking shorts underneath, but they are too short to provide very much coverage, but long enough to fool you that they do provide coverage when you are still inside your house, not bouncing. Anyway, rain rolled off the skirt like water off a ducks back. I'm not ready to give up on the running skirt idea yet...I might just have to find a longer one? Or wait till I lose a little more of my behind to wear this one again?

I'm a Cliche, I Know,

Yesterday, something odd happened. I came to work, ate my breakfast as normal, had a pretty busy day, and by 4 o'clock I realized that the only thing I had eaten for 'lunch' was 1/2 of an apple and some almond butter. The apple was the size of a baby's head, but still.

So I started thinking about this event. Perhaps I need to jump on the 'intuitive eating' bus. Lol (that's me laughing at me being a cliche rather than the practices of intuitive eating). I think there is a lot to be said about listening to your body versus eating out of routine, boredom, whatever. I also think that I wouldn't have been able to practice any sort of intuitive eating had it not been for me eliminating all the foods that were causing problems inside me. Now that I have my insulin spikes under control, perhaps I am in a better position to accurately gauge what my body really needs?

Maybe I need to re-adjust my brain/eyes/ideas about what is the right amount of food for me to be eating. I already know that I eat way less food then prior to Paleo. However, I don't really pay much attention to myself during the process of eating. Could I be stopping sooner? Can I go longer between meals? I guess I can add this to the list of experiments I will be putting my body through.

I went to Target the day before yesterday and got myself one of those cute little running skirts. Target has some adorable workout clothes right now. I also walked away with 2 new tanks, and an awesome tie-dyed sports bra. I haven't had a chance to hit the streets in my new duds yet. I'm anxious to see if the running skirt lives up to all the hype...I keep seeing rave reviews for them. Unqualified product review coming soon!

The Pesto Post

Not long ago, one thing I thought would be a challenge while eating Paleo long term was boredom. I have not been bored once in the past two months (with food that is). There is an infinite number of combination's to be had when eating only meat, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats. I'm merely scratching the surface.

On Sunday, while in the grocery store doing my weekly shopping, I saw a plastic tub of basil leaves on sale. I immediately thought "PESTO!" Pesto is Paleo...as long as I omit the Parmesan cheese. So I grabbed the basil, and threw it into my basket.

Last night, I cooked up this gem:

All natural pork- pork chop topped with fresh basil pesto, and oven roasted carrots (skin on) on the side. I literally ate every scrap of meat off the bone. And possibly used my finger to scrape up the remaining green goo on the plate. And possibly ate a second pork chop with more pesto. The picture does no justice, because the vibrant green of the pesto was not captured.

Fresh Basil Pesto (Paleo-style)

3 small cloves garlic
2 good sized hand fulls of fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4-1/3 cup olive oil
lemon juice
salt
pepper

In a food processor, toss in garlic, basil, almonds, a dash of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Blend until everything is finely minced and incorporated. Turn on food processor and slowly stream in olive oil until a nice creamy pesto consistency forms. You may use less olive oil, you may use more. Add the juice from one lemon, blend more, and taste. Adjust the seasonings/ingredients to your liking. Be prepared for a shock of fresh tasting YUM.

I have big plans for this pesto...its not only good on top of pork chops, but I'm thinking a cauliflower-pesto salad would be delicious, as well as pesto stuffed chicken breasts, pesto topped turkey burgers or using some of the pesto to make a pesto salad dressing...you get the idea. The options are infinite, not to mention incredibly delicious, natural, and so easy.

With food like this, why, why, why!?!?! Did I ever treat my body so poorly before?

Oh, and there was the briefest...tiniest....segment on the news last night about a new study out showing that low-carb diets are just as effective (if not more) as low fat diets at reducing cholesterol and improving HDL's. That's because there has never been any real proof that lowering fat has a link to cholesterol (read Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes)! Glad they are finally getting the real truth out there...albeit slowly.

Paleo; Month 2 Re-cap

Yesterday, August 1st marked month 2 of Paleo for me. Here is my head shot from July 1st:

And here is my head shot from yesterday, August 1st:


Since July 1st, I have lost 6 pounds. Making my total weight loss since starting Paleo 18 pounds! Considering that I have lost 34 pounds since January, over half of my weight loss has occurred in the past 2 months.

Last week I got so incredibly busy at work, I sort of dropped off after announcing my challenge to exercise 120 minutes a day until August 31st. Imagine that, work getting in the way of my blogging...how DARE it?!

Anyway, I've been keeping up my pledge but barely. Of course work and life would go insane when I need more time to myself. What can you do?