Personal growth

[clevermanka]

Back at work today. Yay.

My Whole30 ended on January 31. I didn't talk about it much because it really wasn't a big deal for me this time. Apart from a couple social occasions where it would've been nice to have a glass of wine, I didn't hardly notice at all the changed eating. I was just a little more strict than normal when it came to how many nuts I ate, and the elimination of white potatoes (which I've started using in some of my soups because I like how they thicken the broth).

Anyway, I didn't expect to see a lot of changes, but I did notice some. First off, and most notably, I fit (barely! but I fit!) into a pair of jeans I've not worn in almost a year. This wasn't due to weight loss or even change of size (more on that in a moment). The only thing I can attribute it to is decreased inflammation--which means that booze, increased nut consumption, or white potatoes are causing a significant inflammatory response. I'm going to go out on limb here and say I'm doubting the white potatoes were the culprit. This is easily tested, though, by simply adding white potatoes back in. I'm not sure if I want to try that immediately or wait until after my travel in April.

Here's where the really interesting part comes in, though. My measurements (I'm only tracking Waist, Navel, and Hip) were exactly the same as they were on January 1. In fact, the measurement at my navel might have been up a wee bit. And yet I was able to fit into those jeans. So obviously it's not the actual inches but how they're distributed--and I can definitely see some different distribution. My ass is starting to stick out a little farther in back (aw yeah) and my lower back muscles are really developed. When I'm just standing, no flexing, no nothing, the line of my spine makes a significant valley/hollow from my ribs to tailbone. Basically, my posterior chain is starting to take up a lot of real estate. And now here comes the kicker: I'm up nearly three pounds. THREE POUNDS! Up three pounds with no change in abdominal measurements. That means I put on three pounds of muscle in one month.

I am a forty-four year old woman who put on three pounds of muscle in thirty days. I'd say those testosterone supplements are working.

I want to start incorporating more fermented foods into my diet. Does anyone have suggestions on how to actually go about doing this? I mean, not the making them, but the adding of them to meals? You know, actually eating them instead of just thinking about it?

How much do I love this theory about Mary? A LOT. I LOVE IT A LOT.

Also, now is a good time to reveal my pennswoods-inspired cosplay for 221B Con: CIA Agent Mary. Gotta drive to Leavenworth in the next few weeks to hit up the Army/Navy surplus stores for tactical wear.


This showed up on my dash this morning and I'm all FUCK YEAH less than a week and a half until Coriolanus at the Tivoli in KC.


Tonight is Laverne Cox speaking on campus! I am so excite! I shall probably be the only person in the audience who hasn't seen a single episode of Orange is the New Black but OH WELL.

I canceled Saturday's PR test with Andrew because there's a basketball game that afternoon and no way would I get a parking space when I returned from the test. And there's another Saturday afternoon game on the 15th. Note to mckitterick: we need to do other stuff before returning home from Coriolanus that day. I'm thinking there's no point in getting home before 6pm. UGH.

Comments

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I have to wait until the 18th for Coriolanus but I'm reading it along with some analysis during my slow times at work so *deep breath* I'll be ok.

Hmm, I love fresh sauerkraut so that as a side may be good. Depending on what your eating, maybe lacto fermented salsa or pickles as a side. I'm not a huge kombucha fan but I want to try making water kefir, which I think is Whole30 approved.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh, cortido is one of my fav cabbage slaws and is really good after sitting a few days. I serve it with Simply Recipes Mexican spiced pulled pork or chili.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay! That's the sort of thing I need. Thanks!

I have lots of options for fermented foods (well, except for anything that comes anywhere close to being dairy-related), but as for how to incorporate them regularly? Not so sure.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

That redistribution and muscle gain is FABULOUS!!

REally Fabulous. What were those supplements again?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I take one of these testosterone supplements (http://pureformulas.com/testosterone-formula-90-ultracaps-by-integrative-therapeutics.html#sthash.McRTVsks.dpbs) three times a day. The progesterone aid is an herbal tincture I get from Dr. Khosh.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I'm really liking that fermented food blog, too.
I LOVE Kombucha and have been skirting around the idea of making it.. so I can use decaffeinated tea.

I'm definitely going to try the ketchup for Jbird, and the simple pickle. Now to start collecting jars, I suppose.

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

You know for a LONG time I've pondered whether that might help me a bit in terms of energy/mood.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to look up this Whole30 thing. I am intrigued! Also, GO YOU!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

My first Whole30 (http://whole30.com/) changed my life, no joke. Two weeks into it, I realized I was suddenly just over a lifelong eating disorder. My sugar- and carb-driven obsessive compulsive eating issues were just...gone.

So. Amazing.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link! :D I read through a little bit of it and it sounds very promising. I'm not ready to commit to it just yet, but I'm keeping it bookmarked for when I am!

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

Wow. Interesting, encouraging results! I am nodding yes, with a touch of funk face, which is a look of studied approval.

I learned more about my relationship with food this time around. I will post about it at some point. The eating part is really old hat, which is FINE. Which is GOOD. *moar nodding*

Edited to put the correct icon with the comment.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to hear that you got something out of it this time around. I know you've run up against some walls in the past. Hurray for learning! The mental obstacles are often more difficult (and surprising) than the actual/logistical/physical changes required of doing a Whole30.

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

I don't want Mary to be a villian... but I have to admit she would be an amazing one.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

My biggest fear about her turning out to be a villain is it would further endorse fanficdom's already-prevalent tendency of demonizing women in order to maintain the OTP.

I think having her wind up being a Big Bad is much better than what happens to her in ACD canon, too. Provided Certain Misogynist Elements actually allow her to be a Big Bad and don't completely fuck it up.

[carmy-w.livejournal.com]

Dean came across OITNB on Netflix right after we signed up. I was not really into the first episode, but then I got sucked into the storyline. I think you'd like it... but it can be very depressing.

As for the fermented foods, just have some as a side dish with as many meals as you can (I say that because there is NO WAY I want sauerkraut or pickles with my breakfast, but lunch and dinner? No problem!). Either kraut or pickles will work, I'd say.
I'd also say that you can make pickles the same way sauerkraut is made; put them in a glass or stoneware container, cover with water and hold the contents down under the water with a plate and a glass jar full of water. Drape with a tea towel or cheesecloth; no need to burp! This was always how Mom made pickles, then can them after fermentation. If you still want the live probiotics (duh, Carm), just put them in jars and keep them in the fridge instead of processing them.

And now that I think on it, you could pickle cauliflower, carrots, or green/red/yellow peppers also.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but then HOW do I incorporate them? I know WHAT foods I can eat, but honestly I am not a fan of pickles/kraut except as a maybe weekly thing.

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

There is something... mesmerizing... about that Hiddleston gif. I came back just to give it a little more of my time.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

OH THANK GOD someone finally commented on the Hiddleston gif. Because DAMN, SON. I mean. Just. I. What. How. HOW IS HE SO SEXY?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

THOSE JEANS THO.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

FUCK YEAH, T AND MUSCLE AND SHIT

(returns your freddy mercury gif like whoah)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

THREE POUNDS OF MUSCLE!

...and in such a short period of time!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! I doubt I can maintain that, but what a nice jump start!

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

3lbs of muscle is indeed pretty awesome :D

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Even my trainer was impressed!