Spring Cleaning: Whole30 Style

My Easter Puppy

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter! I spent the day with my family and it went entirely too fast. After many months of consideration and chocolate, I have decided that it is time for another Whole30. I have been using food as comfort for the past few months and I need a reset to get back to using food as energy. The winter months tend to get to me, so I find myself using chocolate and yummy family dinners to cure a bad mood, bad day, rough week…You get the idea.

I did my first Whole30 back in the Fall. It was definitely a learning experience-I could no longer use Friday nights as a my eat anything because its Friday and I am exhausted. My Mom and completed the Whole30 together, and I think having her for support and accountability were huge factors in my success. Two major things that I discovered during my first Whole30:

1. I function better with larger meals and less snacking. The Whole30 encourages participants to eat 3 meals a day with no snacks in between, unless there is a post workout meal. Before this, I thought that I needed to eat every 3 hours. And I did, because otherwise I would become shaky and irritable. However, by eating 3 larger meals a day, I was able to get rid of that low blood sugar feeling between meals because my insulin levels weren’t constantly changing. At first I had a hard time getting enough to eat at a meal to hold me over to the next, but I figured out that healthy fats like avocado are my best friends!

2. Sugarless Gum is Over-rated. I used to be the gum queen. Ask me for a piece of gum and I’d have at least three options for you to choose from. Now? I haven’t had a piece of gum in months! And I rarely think about or miss it. I used gum as a stress reducer and in place of mindless snacking. Ironically, I think it probably just wore my jaw out and made me crave sugar even more.

My Goals for this Whole30:

1. Focus on 3 solid meals a day.

2. Get rid of my sugar craving after every meal.

3. Stop using food for comfort!

I also plan on making food ahead of time, starting with Paleomg’s Sweet Potato Enchiladas. Her recipes are amazing! Having pre-made meals is much more convenient, and it requires less thinking about food!

Do you have any goals for April?

February Goals

I was feeling a bit ambitious last week when I made my goals for February! I made blog goals, fitness, health, and life goals… So many goals! Although I have to say that too many goals are probably better than no goals at all. There are definitely times when I avoid making goals for fear of failing to accomplish them. My mindset for February is to do my best at reaching my goals, but not to stress if everything isn’t perfect! Realizing that I can’t make everything happen is part of my ‘de-stressing’ for health mentality that I am trying to embrace.

Goals, Goals, Goals!

There are already a few goals that I haven’t met. Specifically, I am trying to limit the amount of time that I spend online checking my email, reading blogs, etc. I haven’t stuck to my goals for this, but I have become a lot more aware of how many times I am checking my email (I do it often just out of boredom). However, having specific goals for my blog has definitely motivated to be more active within the blog world and to post a bit more regularly!

Now let’s talk about what I have done! I tried a kickboxing class for the first time last week. It was fun and energizing. It was nice to work out with other people and meet new faces. I ran twice this week, which is huge considering I only run outside. The cold is less than motivating when it comes to running! Also, today is my third day of no coffee! So far I haven’t had any negative effects. I have read so many different things on coffee-some say its good, others say its bad. I love coffee and usually have 1 cup a day, but I want to see if I notice a difference without it (stress on adrenals, blood sugar etc.).

What’s you take on coffee?

Any big goals for February?

The 28 Days of Blogging: Goals, Goals, Goals

Happy First Day of February! The first day of the month is always refreshing for me-it is like a clean slate ready for new goals and adventures!I recently stumbled upon Katy Widrick’s incredibly helpful and informative blog and discovered that she was hosting a 28 Day Blog Challenge. This challenge is focused on building not only a better blog, but also a better blog community! Check out Katy’s Challenge Loop Link to join the fun!

I have been reading blogs for years, but didn’t work up the courage to have one of my own until last spring. I have yet to establish a blogging routine or focus. I blog when I feel like I have something worth sharing and the blogging ‘bug’ seems to come and go. My lack of knowledge pertaining to technology and blogging can also be a huge obstacle at times! I know that I’d like to focus on fitness, nutrition, and health overall, but I am still struggling to find my niche. So, I am super excited to take part in this 28 day challenge. I have some ideas for goals that I’d like to accomplish during this time, but I am also looking forward to Katy’s recommendations and I’d like to learn a few blogging tips along the way!

They say the one of the easiest ways to make sure you accomplish your goals is to share them with the world, so here goes!

February Blogging Goals:

1. Comment on at least 3  different blogs every day. Or have a total of 21 comments each week.

2. 3 New Recipes for the month of February.

3. Start a Twitter Account?

4. Blog at least 3 times a week for the month of February. This will help me focus on my consistency with blogging.

5. Update my  about section.

6. Create a recipes tab.

7. Create a contact tab

8. Participate in a weekly group post like WIAW, etc.

9. Create a Google Reader. Currently I only use the wordpress reader or my bookmarks to check out different blogs.

10. Understand RSS feed. (I know-I’m such a newbie!)

11. Find and reach out to local bloggers.

12. Participate in a review for a company.

Not quite 28 goals, but I think that its a good start. Some of my goals might be a bit out there, but I have to dream big!

(Source)

Interestingly enough, the goal setting for my blog has carried over to my daily life as well. I have suddenly come up with all sorts of ideas for goals in February. I seemed to have missed the whole New Year’s resolution band wagon. After experiencing a lot of ups and downs during the month of January, I am excited for a fresh start!

What goals have you set for yourself lately?

Are you joining in on the 28 Day Blogging Challenge?