Okay, I just gave my nutrition lecture last night and made the public announcement that I was starting the 30-day “Eat Like a Cave Wo(man) Challenge” tomorrow.
Tomorrow turned into today, and I must say that I would highly recommend doing this with a little more preparation. I hadn’t really hit the grocery store, didn’t know what we had in the kitchen, and truly was flying by the seat of my pants.
Right now it’s almost 3pm and I think I’ve done okay so far.
MEAL 1: Turned out we had eggs, chicken sausage and avocados in the fridge, so that’s what I ate for breakfast. And yes… today was my first day to actually drink black coffee. I’ve also told all my “starbucks friends” to keep an eye on me. I’m only allowed to order black coffee (regular or decaff), or hot tea. It might sound silly, but added accountability can help! (Takeaway for you: get other people involved. It’s just too easy to “slip” if you don’t let other people know what you’re doing.)
2 eggs and egg whites, 1/3 avocado, and chicken sausage from TJ's.... unfortunately there are no veggies in the house. : (
MEAL 2: Package of pre-portioned Almonds from Trader Joes. (very hungry before workout)
Then there was the 12 noon workout, which totaled 9K on a bike, 1.5 mile run, with 110 pull-ups in between. I have post-exercise nutrition down to a science. I always use my post-exercise recovery, and I add green powder and powdered L-glutamine. Well, one of the rules I implemented during the 30-day “Eat like a Cave Wo(man) Challenge”, is NO protein powders. Only because this is supposed to be a “eat real food” challenge.
So now I’m feeling a little discombobulated.
L-glutamine is approved (and encouraged) during the next 30 days as it should have a profound effect on your (and mine) sugar cravings, muscle recovery after workouts, and help heal your gut and digestive system. Also, green powder is extremely important as it helps alkalize your body, thus blunting the effects of cortisol after a workout. So, here’s my post-workout solution: MEAL 3:
1. 1 scoop of Amazing Grass Green Powder
2. 1 scoop of powdered L-glutamine (for me this is about 5-7 grams)
3. 1 cup of coconut water (only one cup! If you need more liquid, fill it up with water!)
This gets the greens and glutamine in the system fast. But please note: The only thing I will change back on day 31 is the addition of my favorite Post-Exercise Recovery back into the mix. So for now, my “real food” solution is to consume a 1/4 cup sweet potato and 2-4oz grilled chicken breast about 10-20 minutes after my workout. (this of course did not happen today as I had to go to the store, buy the sweet potatoes, and they are still in the oven cooking!)
I bake multiple sweet potatoes at a time and keep'em in the fridge. They are super yummy cold, and are only to be eaten AFTER your workout.
MEAL 4: I was walking around Whole Foods S.T.A.R.V.I.N.G. after my workout (again, unprepared). So I somehow managed to get this into my basket and put it into my tummy. I actually am writing this blog after this meal, which really did the trick to making me feel normal again!
Okay. So that’s how I’ve done so far. I don’t have any headaches yet, but considering the amount of sugar I’ve been consuming lately, I’m guessing they’ll hit tomorrow.
A word about caffeine:
IT. IS. NOT. THE. END. OF. THE. WORLD. TO. HAVE. BLACK. COFFEE. FOR. 30. DAYS. You WILL survive.
Battling Cancer is hard. Dealing with sick family members is hard. 100 Burpees is hard. Spending 30 days to CLEAN UP YOUR FOOD and drink a little black coffee IS. NOT. HARD.
This is yours (and my) OPPORTUNITY to SHOW UP fully for our life. There is no way in Gods Green Earth that you are showing up as energetically and vibrantly as you should when you’re too strung out on sugar, can’t digest your food appropriately from overeating processed foods, and riding a blood sugar roller coaster every day.
Trust me. If I can do this…. SO CAN YOU. I’m the girl who lets 3pm emotional triggers and exhaustion lead me into a starbucks for a caffeine and sugar fix mixed with dairy and wheat. If you are sick of doing this (or just sick of being sick in general)… then get on board and DO THIS!
The hardest part of the next 30-days will have absolutely nothing to do with your food. The hardest part of the next 30-days will be the undeniable Paradigm shifts that you will have to undertake. It will be the managing all the thoughts going on between your ears.
And THAT’S when real change will happen.
Get ready for the RIDE OF YOUR HEALTHY LIFE!!! I’m glad to be along for the ride. : )
