Looking September square in the eye

[clevermanka]

Two more weeks before KCRF starts. Media Party is tomorrow night. Fuuuuuuuck. I haven't even unpacked Azucena's garb, much less tried anything on. I wanted to put together a new bra and belt set for dancing at Smoker, too. Ha. Ha-ha.

Yesterday's faculty retreat leftovers included some chicken-lollipops, of which I availed myself with great enthusiasm. Yum! If there are any left at the end of the day, those babies are coming home with me. Or I might just eat them all here. *snarf*

Whole30 is going well. Surprisingly well. One could almost say it's been a breeze. I'm on day nineteen (of thirty) and while I miss the cream in my coffee, I don't agonize over it. I'll be very happy to be reacquainted with wine again, but I'll continue to kick dairy to the curb until after KCRF.

This style of eating is working better than any other method in my life. I've nearly eliminated the crazy after-meal bloating, I haven't had any stomach pains in months, my energy levels are higher, and the obsessive food cravings are gone. While the scale isn't reflecting any difference, I can see arm, leg, back, and ab definition that have been absent for years. That's after only three weeks of this lifting program. What's not to like?

That said, I'd like to endorse everything that Melissa says in her Hunt Gather Love blog here. There are over six billion human beings on this planet. The idea that any one thing is going to work for every single person (regardless of what it is you're trying to get to work) is ridiculous and arrogant. Two things I strive to avoid.

Update: I just had a friend snap a pic of the current shape of my arms and back--the parts that look the best so far, IMO.

Comments

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

I've nearly eliminated the crazy after-meal bloating, I haven't had any stomach pains in months, my energy levels are higher, and the obsessive food cravings are gone.

WOW. This is fabulous!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I know, right? Uh-MAY-zing!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

+1!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's fabulous that this is working well for you.
It'll be interesting to see if a re-intro to dairy makes any difference, and I can see why "not til *after*.

I like that.. lifestyle, rather than a diet. How true.
I totally "get" her on the pickle juice, I used to drink it right out of the jar.

If I might add.. I've seen a change in outlook from you also, in that I see you looking forward to things coming up rather than dreading the hassles.

FAboo!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I've seen a change in outlook from you also

That's awesome! It's really hard to see the changes in oneself, so it's super to have friends who are willing to point them out to you. The good and the bad!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Here's to our continuing to point (and laugh and point) out the good and the bad.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

Zoom!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I feel like that turtle in your icon, just wishing there was a way to light the rocket fuse...

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Fabulous! I'm glad you're progressing comfortably.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I wouldn't mind a little more uncomfortable progress, but my body doesn't do much of anything fast.

*sigh*

random commenter

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

so what exactly is this Whole30 thing? It is a nutritional guide of what to eat and what not to eat or something? If it is working for you I might try it out myself and I would love to know more, if you don't mind.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Get the low-down here (http://whole9life.com/2010/05/whole-30-v2/)!

(http://whole9life.com/9-blog)

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

thank you very much!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! If you do it, let me know if it helps you. I'm interested in hearing other stories!

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

I will do, I wish I could start now but I am too busy, after me show goes out of production, I plan on giving it a shot!

[bluetourmaline.livejournal.com]

That's awesome.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[stuology.livejournal.com]

It is a shocking change, isn't it?

I've also tried something else that I failed miserably at before: Intermittent Fasting.

I still get feel wore down and headachy at the end of the day, but my irritability--the level of which made me want to tape my kids to the ceiling which is why I quit--is gone. Really. I did a 24 hour fast yesterday and spent the entire day with Jay and took both kids to the park with other kids and I didn't snap at any of them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! Congratulations!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

That's great! So glad to hear it's now working for you.

And CR: Shoulders & back lookin' good!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Go you! I see some fancy delts happenin'....

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! The delts look better in person, actually. Ka-POW! =D

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

Those look great.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[adammaker.livejournal.com]

So you are feeling relatively great, and showing visible progress on your shoulders?

GO YOU, and KEEP GOING!

As long as you have found something that works for you... rock it out.

P.S. As a prior workout partner of yours, I know how hard won the shown progress is, this progress is Great.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

As a prior workout partner of yours, I know how hard won the shown progress is

I know, right? Usually I like being a girly girl, but here is one instance where the XX chromosomes didn't do me any favors.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! I am so glad this is going so well for you!

It is just about effortless. I've thought of posting about it, but nothing really seems noteworthy except that amazing mayo! I just made a fresh batch tonight.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's mutual!

I have got to make the time to try that mayo recipe.

[apocalypticbob.livejournal.com]

Arms are looking fabulous!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! How're you doing on your road to health?

[apocalypticbob.livejournal.com]

Really well! Still loving Zumba, and have dropped a total of 35 pounds and 3 pants sizes since I started in February, and I feel better all over. I'm still trying to take the weight loss slowly, so as to give my skin a chance to shrink as I lose the weight (since that can be a problem with too rapid weight loss), but I feel more comfortable in my skin than I have in a long time, and that helps.

Now to get off my bum and figure out what I'm going to wear when I come visit on Labor Day weekend! Really don't want to make new garb since I'll only be losing more weight and would only wear it once. I'll get it figured out, though.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Go, you! Holy crap, 35 pounds? You are amazing!

We can always straight-lace you. That takes up a surprising amount of extra bodice room.

[poincaraux.livejournal.com]

Hot back and shoulders!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Not too shabby for a middle-aged-woman, eh? =D

[poincaraux.livejournal.com]

Not too shabby at all! :)

BTW, the thing with the scale may just be that you're building muscle. I've only lost ~3-5 lbs since I started lifting, but I'm down 5 belt loops and everybody keeps telling me how much weight I've lost :).

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to keep that in mind. But I still have some serious stomach fat that wasn't there two years ago. I want to get back to this (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chernobylred/3727225564/), stomach-wise.

Vanity, I know.

[poincaraux.livejournal.com]

You say that like there's something wrong with a little vanity.

I'm with you on the stomach fat thing, though. I think I'm strong enough for now, so I'm going to be working on endurance, speed and stomach fat. None of that is as much fun to work on as getting stronger, though :)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You say that like there's something wrong with a little vanity.

You're right. I should embrace my vanity!

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

Your arms look fabulous! I'm so glad that you're feeling better and eating this way is working so well for you. :)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad, too. It's pretty damn amazing. If only I'd known (or better--MY DOCTORS HAD KNOWN) to pursue this a year ago.