Day 28 of my Whole30

Normally I put up some photos of myself to compare, but this week I am holding off.  In just two days I will have completed my Whole30!  At that time I plan to do a day one and day thirty comparison.  I figured people could wait two days.  Instead I thought I would focas on something that in the beginning scared the heck out of me, no scale victories.  People, I am a weigh myself scale junkie!!  And if it's not the scale it is a tape measure.  That's not allowed either.  The point is to focus on your health.  So this is going to focus on that.  First up, some healthy fun things that thrilled me.  You may not think that your food would help with your physical fitness.  I am here to tell you it does!  When you feel good working out feels good.  And then amazing things happen!  Like a mile under ten minutes(unheard of for me).

Being able to get into crow pose.  This one means a lot to me.  I have tried and failed so many times.  A wonderful reminder to never give up.

You also learn to listen to your body so when p90x makes you think you might puke(not in a good way) you sit and enjoy the sun.

And lastly getting out seems less like a chore and more like a wonderful desire you don't want to give up!

Onto some mind blowing, stinkin can't believe it moments.  Yes, my jaw dropped.  Yes, I wanted to cry in joy. These are photos of me in different jeans.  The first pair are a size 12.  They use to kinda fit.  You can see now they don't fit at all, but for completely different reason.

This is the photo that really made me want to do a dance for joy.  This is me in a size 6 pair of jeans.  I HAVE NEVER IN ALL MY LIFE fit into a size 6.  I have always been the chubby friend.  It was never a big deal.  I never real cared.  But to fit into a single digit.  To have that digit be a 6.....No words.

Working out at the zoo

What?  You don't think you can work out at the zoo?  Then you have never gone with me and my five kiddos.  It all starts with the walk to the zoo.  You see, I don't pay to park.  I park in the free parking area which is at the bottom of the hill and requires a walk.  The upside is the bridge we cross has a great view of the space needle!  My kids love stopping and on this day were getting people in cars to wave and honk.

Then there is the pulling of the wagon once you're in the zoo.  Some days it's just stuff that I pull around.  On this visit though I pulled my 8 year old and 6 year old twins all over!  By the end of the day I was so sore and tired I felt like I had put in the work out of a life time!!  The upside?  I got to enjoy some super cool animals.

 I also really enjoyed seeing the different kids enjoying the zoo in their different ways.  Melia was the ever persistent map lady who wanted a very specific plan.  Yeah, she learned quick that plans change often with so many people wanting to do so much.

 Caleb was in heaven in this one area!  He was telling strangers all about the animals.  He was asking them questions.  He was taking in all that he could.

  Kellina brought a journal that she used to sketch all the animals that we saw!

 Joshua was thrilled when he got a bird on his hand.  I've never seen him so happy.

 And I enjoyed capturing all we did with photos!  Probably too many. And yes, I enjoyed the burn in all my muscles at the end of the day.

Whole30 day 21

Here I am day 21 of 30.  This week I had an amazing moment.  Let me give you some background.  I have a relationship with my Spanx.  Picture Linus from peanuts and his blanket.  He loves that blanket and we all know it.  It is his comfort.  His friend.  It goes everywhere with him.  This is how I feel about my Spanx(don't know what they are, Google it).  They make me feel confident, comfy, able to function!  I don't tease.  This week however I was able to go out without them.  In an outfit that I would never before have been seen in without them!  It. Was. Amazing!  My goal for this week was to add early morning workouts to my week.  Two days I got up early and worked out.  One day I went on an amazing hike with my almost 4 year old on my back.  And one day I worked out later.  I have found and fallen for p90x.  For now I do whatever ones I can find on Youtube.  It's kinda sparse and usually only a ten minute workout, so I do yoga first.  Which I have also fallen head over heals for!  I am feeling super excited for this up and coming week!  And for being able to share with you my day 1 photo and day 30 photo.  For now though enjoy day 14 and day 21.

The building crew

All this nice weather we have had has got people thinking about gardens.  Not this people.  I leave that up to my fiends and my mom.  Then I eat what they grow.  Don't worry. We have discussed it and it's okay.  I of course don't mind helping with other peoples gardens.  So the other day when a friend asked if I wanted to help build some raised beds I said sure.  It was nice out.  I could use a power tool.  I might not be the best at designing something, but I'm great grunt labor(and picture taker)! But even more fun was the boys could help.  Turns out my boys are pretty good grunt labor too!  I mean after they are done chasing chickens.  

And maybe breaking eggs they shouldn't.  They are becoming quite helpful.  They can haul wood(they may have started loading it in a wagon for transport).

And they can even safely use a power tool.  A drill counts as a power tool, right?

And unlike their mom they won't accidentally drill your finger by mistake. Oops!  So if you need some grunt labor I have got a cute crew for you!

Day 14 of my Whole30

So here I am on Valentines day enjoying 14 days of my journey with Whole30.  No I am not wishing I was scarfing chocolate from a box, or molten lava cake with whip cream.  Oh wait, that's exactly what I'm doing!!!  I am not a Valentines celebrating kinda gal though so I am use to not having these items on this day. I thought today I would share with you what I do eat, since I eat non of the stuff I am dreaming of.  Most the photos will be familiar if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram.   So this is my day.  I wake up and eat my favorite meal.  Breakfast!!!  I usually have eggs of some sort, a veggie of some sort, and maybe some meat.

Then there is lunch.  Lunch is the hardest for me.  Not because there aren't option, but because I am usually running around and if I haven't planned I am doomed.  With the home made mayo I love(okay I love all mayo. It use to be the butter on my toast) I am enjoying tuna, chicken salad, and yummy dips.  I have to watch not eating too much!

Dinner has been easy.  I mean I have to cook for everyone anyways.  I try my best to do dishes that are easy to tweak for me. Thing's like tacos work great! The noodles in this dish are parsnips. Everyone else got regular.

There you have it.  Again my workouts were like zero this week.  Unless you count moving as a workout.  Next week I hope to get back on the workout band wagon.  To start I did yoga this morning.  Here are my day 7 photos and my day 14 photos.  Enjoy!  I sure am.

Whole30

I thought it was time to update the world(yes I am sure the world reads this) on my road to better health.  Life was going great with my #6weekstofab program and then the holidays hit.  Okay, I'll be honest.  The magical thing that is fudge hit.  It is my weakness.  It's why I never make it!  As soon as the sugar craze was on the gluten was quick to follow.  And then my waist was getting bigger and not smaller!  I knew the crap I was eating was the problem.  It was obvious that gluten, dairy, and sugar were to blame(not my total lack of self control when faced with them). So I decided a detox was in order.  Now I have done my fair share.  Just drinking juice and eating nothing but fruit and veggies for 15(okay 13) days.  But I wanted something that I could stick to after.  Maybe not perfectly, but one that would reset my body and be manageable for longer term. That's when I found the Whole30.  In steps the book It Starts With Real Food.  I got excited!   I started learning how my body and food worked(or didn't work) together. I got a buddy to do it with me.  She has been a life saver I didn't know I needed!  It has been seven days.  I have only been able to work out a few of those days.  I am currently sick.  The sickest I've been for a while.  I have no voice(try getting six kids to listen when all you can do is whisper). But I have seen change!    I have felt change!  You aren't suppose to weigh or measure during the program, but I didn't hear you couldn't take pictures.  Okay, maybe you are only suppose to do this at the start and end, but I couldn't resist.  I know you have been holding your breath, so here you go.  Day one and day seven(I really am happy at day seven, but to sick to smile).

 I feel like there is something you all should know.  I am 5 foot 2 inches.  That may mean nothing to you, but if you are short you will understand.  5 pounds on my frame looks like 20 pounds on someone taller.  Gaining or losing!