If you have been reading this blog for quite some time, you know I have advocated and participated in several Whole Food Challenges. But not for a while now. This summer, similar to last summer, I have become particularly lax in my dietary choices. It always surprises me that I tend to get sloppy and gain weight in the summer. (For some reason, winter seems more like a time to gain weight to me.) I even know it's coming, see it happening, and yet I do nothing to resist the tendency.
Despite bootcamp 3x per week, I have been putting on a few extra pounds. This goes to show you that no exercise, even really tough exercise, can make up for excess caloric intact or naughty food choices. Once you start adding alcohol, flour made from grains, and sugary sweeteners to your diet, the pounds are bound to sneak up on you. I have been adding all three this summer.
I tried to tell myself that I was gaining MUSCLE! Good one, right? This morning I got out the measuring tape. Somehow I just don't think the extra inch and a half around my waist is added muscle. (A clue to remember here is that muscle actually takes up less space than fat.) So now I have caught myself. Time to make a change.
I plan to begin the Whole 30 program on Sept. 1st. If you have done a Paleo Challenge or a Whole Food Challenge in the past, you already know the basics. The Whole 30 (see www.whole9life.com) is very similar to the programs I have advocated in the past. If you need guidelines on exactly what you can and cannot eat, I recommend using their clear and concise guide. This is a 30-day reset for your entire system. You will break your addiction to sugar and processed junk food, while cleaning out your system, improving your digestive health, and boosting your immunity. Systemic inflammation caused by chronic consumption of sugars, alcohol, and refined carbs will be remedied.
In a nutshell, the Whole 30 removes all processed foods, all sugars and artificial sweeteners, all dairy, all grains, all artificial preservatives, all legumes, and all soy products from the diet. What do you have left? You will be eating meat, seafood, eggs, veggies, fruit, herbs, nuts and seeds. You will eat foods in their most natural state, cooked or raw. If you have trouble coming up with ideas for meals and snacks, I recommend taking a gander at any of the Paleo-based cookbooks or websites. There are tons of them!
So is anyone in? Will anyone join me this September? 30 days is not that long! We can do it! Let's hit that reset button together.
Despite bootcamp 3x per week, I have been putting on a few extra pounds. This goes to show you that no exercise, even really tough exercise, can make up for excess caloric intact or naughty food choices. Once you start adding alcohol, flour made from grains, and sugary sweeteners to your diet, the pounds are bound to sneak up on you. I have been adding all three this summer.
I tried to tell myself that I was gaining MUSCLE! Good one, right? This morning I got out the measuring tape. Somehow I just don't think the extra inch and a half around my waist is added muscle. (A clue to remember here is that muscle actually takes up less space than fat.) So now I have caught myself. Time to make a change.
I plan to begin the Whole 30 program on Sept. 1st. If you have done a Paleo Challenge or a Whole Food Challenge in the past, you already know the basics. The Whole 30 (see www.whole9life.com) is very similar to the programs I have advocated in the past. If you need guidelines on exactly what you can and cannot eat, I recommend using their clear and concise guide. This is a 30-day reset for your entire system. You will break your addiction to sugar and processed junk food, while cleaning out your system, improving your digestive health, and boosting your immunity. Systemic inflammation caused by chronic consumption of sugars, alcohol, and refined carbs will be remedied.
In a nutshell, the Whole 30 removes all processed foods, all sugars and artificial sweeteners, all dairy, all grains, all artificial preservatives, all legumes, and all soy products from the diet. What do you have left? You will be eating meat, seafood, eggs, veggies, fruit, herbs, nuts and seeds. You will eat foods in their most natural state, cooked or raw. If you have trouble coming up with ideas for meals and snacks, I recommend taking a gander at any of the Paleo-based cookbooks or websites. There are tons of them!
So is anyone in? Will anyone join me this September? 30 days is not that long! We can do it! Let's hit that reset button together.
I think I would like to give this a try. I have been weight training for months now and I need some kind of different break thru. Where do I begin?. Sincerely Anthony
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