Day 22 - Measurements and check in

Well, I went trying on clothes yesterday to get a feel of where I am at with refining my shape through MAP. I noticed my waist is slimmer and bum is smaller. I have looser skin around the mid now and I think with more consistent workouts, that will tighten up over time.

I did the fast on Saturday as we had dinner plans for Friday. It went a lot better than expected. I drank a lot of tea as I was feeling cold and the warm, flavourful tea helped me to not focus on the lack of food. I found it a good exercise is discipline and trusting on myself to be able to hold to my word and follow through. I made it all the way to dinner with calmness of mind even though the day was stressful, out of sync and challenging. Next time I fast, I will focus on praying more.

Here are the numbers...(compared again original measurements on January 3rd)

Weight: 140 lbs (down 8 lbs)

Chest/bust (under breasts): 31" (down 3")

Waist at belly button: 30.5" (down .5")

Arms: 10.5" (same)

Hips: 36" (down 2")

Thighs: (@ 4" above kneecap) 18.5"L (up .5"), 17.5"R(down 1"), (@ 8" above kneecap) 21"L/R (back to start stat)

Waist (at base of rib cage): 28" (down 2")

Day 19 - Thank you God!!

Yes!! To God be the glory. I made it to another day! But I must say, that the Wave has not been too helpful for me. I'm guessing I either need to eat a WHOLE lot more protein or change up some of the veg I am eating, but I was just TAPPED OUT yesterday. Again, not feeling like doing much of anything. The day started off well, but as it progressed, all I wanted to do was sleep, and when I finally had both kids home, that's exactly what I did. On and off for 10 hours!! I felt like such a slug and I am still feeling sluggish. After the mid point of the day, I was feeling numb.

In the morning, I ran the boys to school and then back home to help hubby unload the tools out of the car and we went grocery shopping. When we got home, I packed away groceries, made lunch for the boys, ate something and ran to get my son. Started work at noon and that when the slug hit me...with it's big fat tail LOL.

Today (Day 19), it took me hours to get out of my numb, sluggish, jello feeling, but FINALLY was able to get in a workout (Body Weight workout). I top-loaded this day with carbs and going to prepare chicken and tabouleh with some sweet potato for dinner. Think I will just keep it simple for lunch with some mung bean pancakes and then some carrots, zucchini and hummus for afternoon snack.

Off to get cooking~!

Day 17 - I'm still in!

Off to a great start this AM! Got in my workouts today, eating is still on point and I feel as though my energy and strength has returned...YAY! I felt a big boost after eating the bison yesterday. Must have been low in something. I have not been taking a high-potency multi as I haven't found one that isn't high in Copper. My body is HIGHLY efficient at absorbing copper and results in escalating my Grave's and puts me into an hyperthyroid state. I'll shop around for one today and see what I find :)

Excited to see what's new for the week to come! :)

Day 14 - What is going on?

Abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, swelling....So many changes and events have happened in the last 2 weeks that it's going to take a level of internal elimination to figure it out. All I know is there is some healing that is needed and I need to give my body the chance to recover. My first tweak is to take out the milk thistle. Second is step back from the 3 days on the Wave and only do 2. I would love to keep the workouts in, but to a lesser intensity for now.

Day 12 - Discovered the delay

I have been feeling ill over this past week, partly from allergen exposure (fragrance), some upset stomach and nausea, and from a lack of good sleep. Well I have gotten in my good sleep (finally), recovered from the perfume exposure from last week's events and I am not as queezy and nauseous as I was over the week. But there was one thing in particular I did notice. I have a heightened sense of chemical awareness. For the most part I get the bulk of my protein from hemp, and other plant sources, but I do eat chicken and fish. I did great last week when I prepped and cooked chicken breasts and salmon from a whole fish. This week I cooked up a box of frozen chicken legs (different supplier than the chicken breasts) and salmon fillets (which I didn't "fillet" myself. Last night for dinner I cooked the salmon fillets, and the after taste I had in my mouth was completely chemical....LOVELY! Granted, this is the first time I bought salmon fillets that are prepared this way in a LONG time (about 4 - 5 years ago), but I am not loving the taste. My oldest son, who is picky about eating fish period, didn't like this salmon either. I didn't feel queezy after eating it though as I did earlier in the week, so I am thinking that the stomach bug that is going around may have bite me a bit, but can't help but to think that I will be switching back to buying the fish whole or freshly filleted from the deli. Plugging forward with the Wave, and managed a successful day on the veg and protein without the gag factor. Having celery with chicken for breakfast and looking forward to a long, but wonderful day as we spend time together as a family. I'll cook up some chicken breasts to have on hand through the day and prep veggie bag to snack on as well.

I think the layout of the pyramid workout is super fun and looking forward to starting the next wave of workouts for today!

Day11 - Putting it all together

Well it's been a few days of recovery and will have to go in for a check up with my doctor soon as I felt really awful Monday and people were asking me if I was sick. It's one thing to feel sick, it's definitely another when I actually look sick too. I was feeling good when I woke on Tuesday morning, but then soon realized that I was fighting something...more than just the detox. I started The Wave that day as well, but was really lacking in energy beyond my regular activities. By the evening I was smacked, tripping out, and full of fog. When I woke on Wednesday, I decided to started the wave again the next day and add back the carbs....BIG difference! Energy and strength returned, and I felt like the carbs were just be SUCKED into my limbs and body...crazy stuff! So here we are at Day 11.

I have written out everything on a calendar to help keep me on track and am ready to go again. Have a separate book for all the workouts/diet and I know what it is I need to do. So for today Pyramid, Meltdown, ICP and back on the protein/vegs. Here we go!!

Day 8 - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

WOW! Who needs a workout regime when you have snow? EVERYBODY! Again with the gratitude with being back into challenging workouts and eat right...especially to have enough energy to get through all this snow. We had a snowstorm over the weekend, leaving the roads in terrible condition for driving and when you walk through an open field to get to school, that presents a bit of a challenge. I had a lot of catching up to do from the active weekend we had and I need to reconnect with my children before sending them back out into the world again. It was awesome and quality time spent. Then as I was about to begin my workout I remembered...it's my son's snack day and I am suppose to bring fruit....uhhhh, after the weekend, there wasn't much left in the house and honestly I forgot to grab some as I made a quick jump into the grocery store the day before. I had to go to the store IMMEDIATELY to get get enough for his class and still have some in our house. I did interval sprints the WHOLE way there...about 13 city blocks or I think about a mile down the road. On my way back I was able to snag a ride on the bus, but definitely unexpected version to my workouts. I prepped the snack and we headed out to school....and then we came up to the field, which was as tall as my youngest son. I saw the buss coming and flagged him down. He allowed us to ride around the corner to the school....thank GOD! Of course, I had to make the hike back, but walked with a neighbour and as we got to her house I offered to help her shovel. I was using deep squats to get the snow up (almost like a woodchop movement and after after all the shovelling we had tea. Who knew she used to own a tea shop....too cool! Great opportunity to use the strength I developed (instead of just looking good) for a worthy task. After tea I headed homeward again only to find another neighbour stuck in the snow. I helped to pushed her car out of an icy patch and then continue on my way. On the way back to the school, I had to go through the field and my LEGS after...wow! I had to stretch they were on fire! And then I started feeling light-headed and BAM a big headache and body aches set in...I was thinking because I didn't have enough water, but UGH! I felt awful! I cam home and took a good nap. I felt better, but I was looking "not so well". I went to a meeting in the evening and someone asked if I was okay cuz I looked awful...nice! Tomorrow is a new day!

Day 7 - New week with new focus

The enrichment of motivation and direction I received from a weekend full of encouragement from the speakers that presented was astounding. It helped me to really appreciate the choice I made for myself and my health and to live as people see me to live. Over the holidays I was glad I did my own baking, but I personally found it to be sweeter than I usually would which lead to an eating cycle I wasn't exactly pleased with.

My TOM is over and my tummy looks a lot flatter and my energy is more restored.

Weight: 145 lbs

Chest/bust (under breasts): 32" (down 2")I fit my favorite bra again

Waist at belly button: 31"

Arms: 10.5"

Hips: 37"

Thighs: (@ 4" above kneecap) 18"L, 18"R(down .5"), (@ 8" above kneecap) 21.5"L/R (up .5")

Waist (at base of rib cage): 29" (down 1")

Day 6 - Am I ever thankful...

It was a busy and LONG day. There was a gala event with dinner and dance afterwards and we just got hit with a snow storm. The time I had thought I gained from not having to prepare my children in the morning as they were sleeping at someone else's house was then met with leaving earlier to get out the door to brave the snowy streets to arrive on time.

I planned ahead, making mung bean pancakes with diced chicken breasts inside to bring as my lunch. I made coconut rice with chicken breast and cilantro for my dinner option. I had a jar of water and my tea ready. I packed pear, carrots, hummus,oranges, and a snack baggy of sunflower seeds, and raisins for snack food.

I got our clothes ironed and ready, both our day clothes and our outfits for the evening event. I had chicken breast and apple and a few pancakes for breakfast.

I got in 1 set of meltdown in before we headed out the door. Every minute counted in that morning prep and it was refreshing to be able to get something in to start the day off right.

Day 5 - Let me clear my throat..uhem!

I was so excited that I overcame the headaches, soreness and fatigue. I was energetic and feeling great! I got my full 4X4 meltdown and workouts in and my eating was on track. I prepared for the busy weekend ahead, but one thing I didn't prepare for...drinking water away from home. I already have a distaste for tap water, and I did bring some water with me, but not 3 litres worth. In the morning I drank over a litre of water and brought 650 mL and a tea with me to my all day training. But at the end, I really wanted more water. I am sensitive...hyper-sensitive...okay, maybe intolerant to most scents and fragrances. This environmental toxin is almost debilitating for me, leaving me with pain in my spine, my arms and intense headaches. So much for being over the feeling of the initial detox. I became very phlegmy and was clearing my throat constantly. I hadn't quite shared in this level of response in over a month, but also keeping in mind, I was all sugared up and eating more processed foods than I usually do. Good to keep in mind...

Day 4 - Prep it up!

Today is a MAJOR prep day! On the menu...Mung bean pancakes! I love this recipe! I decided to try it out in the food dehydrator I got from my mom. Usually I cook them with some coconut oil (which I did a couple), but the bulk of the batch went to the dehydrator...curious to see how it comes out.

Next is hummus. I let the chick peas soak for more than a day and they had begun to sprout. Love the freshness of the sprouted chickpeas in the hummus.

I baked some chicken breasts as I have an all day course tomorrow and an all day event on Saturday, followed by church potluck, and then a meeting on Sunday.

Without all the prep, I would risk starving. Just not an option, when you are Celiac and have food allergies OR being on the ED, to NOT be prepared with your own food choices.

I feel well recovered and READY to go for a full meltdown! Here we go!

Day 3 - The power of planning

I found that as my week is coming to an end, that I have been doing more mental meal planning and preparation for when I am out and about. I have veggies chopped, a snack bag in my purse, and I fill my water jar every time I empty it.

I have really missed being in ED mode I guess as I am loving this go-round.

As for workouts, I was REALLY sore yesterday, but I did manage to do half a meltdown, power circuit, and then LIFE stepped in and had me running and sprinting everywhere yesterday. If it wasn't after kids, then it was to catch the bus, and to top it off a MAD sprint home from the buss stop to make it to the potty in time (HAHA for drinking more water....at least I am ON track!)

All in all it was a GREAT day with GREAT food, enough rest, and good exercise. mmmmm....HEALTHY!

Day 2 - Ooooooh recovery!

Well on Day 1 I did my max with the workouts. I did the first one in the morning and logged my reps, put in a 10 min dash to the school to get my son (interval style), but by the time I got home after work I was hurting....I stretched, and drank water, but it was to a point that I didn't want to eat. I did the individual circuit and only made it half way. The power circuit felt the best. Now on Day 2 I am still sore, and even after a nap, I am fatigued. Good news is I am slimmer already, but I am aware that the detox is in full swing and I just want to drink and sleep right now. Again, I ate a lot less today (compared to how I ate over the holidays), but my mind is set on being in ED mode. As I was at the grocery store, it really was a quick scan for the foods that I was allowed to eat. And the best part, all that I wanted to buy (except for the buckwheat that got "contaminated" with winter wheat...funny!) was on sale...YAY! They even had broccoli sprouts there...FINALLY!! I made a request for them to have chia seeds on hand too since I saw that they added red quinoa to their bulk section :)

I had berries, quinoa, hemp for breakfast. Almonds, cashews, and dates with coconut for snack. Broccoli sprouts, leftover chicken, and an orange for lunch. Sunflower seeds, and a banana for afternoon snack, and having salmon, an apple and sprouts again for dinner.

Today I did manage my cardio, and power circuit. Off to give 4x4 a go before dinner.

What to eat....why am I even asking?

Well with the beginning of MAP 2011, there also came the start of the Elimination Diet too (Should I be surprised? This is Dax we are talking about hehe). Well, the fact that I had to think about what I was going to eat made me realize I haven't really been thinking about what it is that I have been eating over the last month as much as I thought. Mindless eating...BAH! But I must admit, to some extent I did enjoy it, AND it wasn't that it was all crap, it was more that it was more than I needed. Being that our household has gluten and lactose intolerances among other things, it makes it easier to stick more closely to an elimination style of eating.

The best part about starting the ED now is that my fridge has run bare and grocery day is tomorrow. We have the staples; carrots, broccoli, kale, bok choy, celery, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds, hemp seeds, mung beans and chick peas. Just need to stock up on choice proteins and a few more veggies. After re-reading through the Elimination Diet 3.0, I have made a list of things I want to buy.

So today I kept it simple. Nuts and seeds, apples, carrots, hemp and rice, and quinoa and chicken for dinner. It felt good to eat today, so I look forward to more of the same over the next 30 days.

Day 1 - SHOCK factor!

Well, I'm on board! I made the decision a day ago to join the MAP2011 30-day challenge. I was standing in front of my cupboards after reading the invite email and realized, I don't have anything holding me back from doing this (being that all the goodies and chocolate had all gone out the door already), so I said GO! DO IT! I have "enjoyed" all the goodies I could over the holidays with not a whole lot of exercise either. And knowing that I need to get the junk out and back on board, A challenge from Dax was just what I needed.

Now, keeping in mind that I am bloated and 5lbs heavier as its that TOM and in a week, I notice quite a drop in inches and weight naturally, so it should be a pleasant surprise.

Here are my starting measurements....

Weight: 148 lbs

Chest/bust (under breasts): 34"

Waist at belly button: 31"

Arms: 10.5"

Hips: 38"

Thighs: (@ 4" above kneecap) 18"L, 18.5"R, (@ 8" above kneecap) 21"L/R


I added one more for my own personal interest...

Waist (at base of rib cage): 30"