Wheat Belly Wednesday - Edition 3

Oy! Work is a zoo this week, so Wheat Belly Wednesday will be short, sweet and to the point!

Week 2 has gone well. I'm still getting some headaches, specifically in the evenings and I seem to be fighting off a could the past couple of days (will it ever end?), but over all things are going well! I am plugging right along and cold aside, feeling great.

This week's weigh in:

Starting Weight: 193.8
Week 1: 188.6
Week 2: 186.4
Week 2 Loss: -2.2
Total Loss: -7.4

After a big loss last week, I wasn't expecting to lose 2 pounds this week, so I'm happy has punch with that number. Things are moving in the right direction! Hopefully the headaches will subside soon. Overall, I'm loving the way I feel these past couple weeks and am sure it will just continue getting better.

Wheat Belly Wednesday - Edition 2

Week one down and successful!

It definitely hasn't been an easy week. Giving up grains/wheat has been difficult, but I knew it would be. Days 3-5 were by far the most difficult up to this point. All things carbs were calling my name, but I managed to pull through. It really is such an empowering feeling to be stronger than your mind. The only negative effect I've had in the past week is some pretty bad headaches. I'm assuming it's from detoxing myself of all the chemicals and processed junk. Although, I am a chronic migraine sufferer, so it could just be coincidence.

On the positive side of things, I am feeling absolutely amazing the past 2 days. Like, on top of the world amazing. I have not had this much energy or felt this 'normal' in at least 6 months. In all honesty, sick, lethargic and miserable had become my new normal. I had completely forgotten what it was like to feel truly healthy. Knock on wood that it continues... I always seem to jinx myself when I mention that I'm feeling better.

I have been trying to stay creative in the things I'm eating. I don't want to dislike or get bored with food. That will just lead to binge eating all things I know I shouldn't have. This weekend I made some zucchini boats and loved them!

They are stuffed with ground venison (in this case, deer. VERY lean), tomatoes and I added some green chili's for flavor. Topped with a bit of shredded parmeson. mmmmm. It really did hit the spot.

As for this morning's weigh-in:

Starting weight: 193.8
Week One: 188.6
Total Loss: -5.2 pounds

I'm pretty happy with that number. Currently, I'm working out about every other day due to my toe and just easing back into things in general. I made the right move in going back to JM Body Revolution. I've upped my weights this time around and am really focusing on form. My body reacts best to circuit training. I burn the same amount of calories in 30 minutes of circuit training (lifting moves, combined with short cardio bursts) as I do with 30 minutes of straight cardio as with T25 etc... And the big thing is, I enjoy it more.

We finally have a spring day today. Our first day expected to make it in the 60s. Then, snow forecasted for Sunday. So, of course, I have to take advantage of it and try and get a run in for Dakota tonight. My first run in far too long. I know it won't be pretty, but I cannot wait to hit the pavement!

Things are lookin' up, and I'm lovin' it!

Wheat Belly Wednesday - Edition 1

Disclaimer: Minor panic attack hitting "publish" this morning. Yet, it's refreshing and I'm feeling good!

We're just going to start fresh with this Wheat Belly Wednesday business around here. Illnesses and injuries are, knock on wood, behind us. I'm starting this journey of mine over, at least physically. This is a new beginning, so it seemed fitting to take it back to numero uno.

God willing, every Wednesday around these parts will be "Wheat Belly Wednesday." Since this is the first week, here's my plan:

• Every Wednesday I will be weighing in and sharing that number here on the blog.. eeeekkk. This is not an easy thing for me to do, but it's a huge motivator for me. 
• I'll share progress pictures every 10 pounds
• Update on my week in regards to nutrition. ie: what I'm eating, how I'm feeling etc... As well as how it's effecting my autoimmune disorders. Which, is the main reason I am choosing to try this lifestyle
• I'll share anything that stands out to me in the book, videos, other blogs etc... knowledge is key and I want to get my hands on all of it.

A question I'm getting a lot through the blog, as well as friends and family that I've mentioned Wheat Belly to, is "Why on earth would you want to do that?" This is not some fad diet to me nor am I looking for some quick "fix". That needs to be clear.  With my Lupus being considered "active" at the moment, one of the few treatment plans is prednisone. I'm sure from all my complaining these past few months, you have probably all caught on that I hate the stuff. A lifetime of prednisone and other nasty drugs is a last resort in my book. I want a life I can live to the fullest and feel my best doing it.

So, I started doing some research. There are some studies showing the possibility of a wheat free diet being beneficial in autoimmune patients. It sounds weird to some and most don't understand my decision. That's okay. I don't expect people to understand and I completely get how they are skeptical. It may help; it may not. Only time will tell. All I know is it's worth a shot.

I need to give myself "mini challenges" to kick things off, so I've decided to commit to 21 days wheat free. Statistically, it's supposed to take the body and mind 21 days to adjust to new things. It's a do-able time frame. I can do anything for 21 days, right? No cheats. None, what-so-ever for the first 21 days. Once I've reached that point, I will re-evaluate and go from there. I don't know if I will go 80/20, more or less. It will all depend on how I feel. But, I want to kick start and flush it all out of my system, so 100% for now.

I love all things carbs. This could be more challenging than my week-long labor and birth with Wyatt. But, i feel I'm truly ready to push through mentally this time. These past few months have taught me a lot about what I don't want to feel like on a daily basis. Maybe, it's been a blessing in disguise.

Enough of the long winded rambling. On to the weigh-in and measurements:

Don't mind the unpainted toe. I need to take care of that now that it's healed!

 In all it's scary glory. Honestly, I'm not surprised by that number. It's actually better than I thought it would be, sad to say.

Measurements:

Tummy (right below belly button): 42.5
Hip: 42
Waist: 40
Chest: 39
Bust: 44
L Upper Thigh: 24
Left quad (directly above knee: 17.25
L Calf: 15.25
R Upper Thigh: 25
R Quad: 18.5
R Calf: 16
L Upper Arm: 13
R Upper Arm: 13

Originally, I was going to address the exact number of gains (and eventually, I'm sure I'll have a post about it). If you want to know, I'm sure you can look back in the archives, ha. But, I'm choosing not to focus on the what could have beens and what ifs. All I care about is the here and now. For my own sanity and happiness, I'm viewing this as a fresh start and new beginning rather than failures. I've wallowed long enough, it's time to get to work!

Also, linking up with Liz for the blog hop today. If you haven't checked out her blog, you really should. She is incredibly inspiring and sweet as can be!

Wheat Belly Wednesday {2}

Look at me writing a blog post in advance from the comfort of my own home. It's been a hot minute since that has happened, my friends! Unfortunately, the reason for this awesomeness is because I can't work out. And why can't I workout? I'm catching Wyatt's crud. Surprise, surprise! I'm determined to do everything in my power for it not to progress this time around. Zicam, Vitamin C, Dayquil and Nyquil are currently my best friends.

So far - Illness: 4594850948     Tiff: 0. Story of my life, right?

Life's been a tad bit crazy since I first decided to go wheat free. Let me tell you, it's not easy to make major life style changes when you and/or your kiddos are sick. I have yet to make it through a week 100%, but I'm not beating myself up over it right now. We are just lucky to not be sitting in a hospital room the past week, so that's enough of a win in my book!

I have noticed a huge difference in how I feel when I make it a few days without wheat in my system. I feel extremely light and clear headed. I was on point last week, that is, until Friday afternoon. Wyatt hadn't drank in almost 24 hours. I was desperate to try and get him to eat something. My thinking was, if he'd eat, he would then be thirsty and we could get some fluids down. So, I ordered him pizza for lunch (his favorite, because, well, TMNTs eat pizza of course). For the first time in his life, he turned down the rare opportunity to have pizza. So, I ate some for him. I could have said no. I should have said no. But I didn't. Exhaustion took over. Then, after we got back from the ER that night, I ate pizza for a late dinner, too. Not good.

My stomach was in major pain, almost instantly. It wasn't that I ate more than I should. 1-2 slices each time. However, after just a few days of not having junk in my system, my body had already adjusted. It was angry, and it let me know it.

This experienced did confirm to me that wheat free is what I need to do right now. I know that once I'm finally over this three month illness, it's going to make all the difference.

Brad's out of town for a state pool tournament the rest of the week, so I should have extra time to get through more pages of Wheat Belly. I am itching to learn more! Fingers crossed that I can kick this bug to the curb once and for all this week... and for some warm weather so I can get some runs in. 

Wheat Belly Wednesday - {1.5}

I say 1.5 because, well... Wyatt's sick. There is a strong possibility I am also sick, but I refuse to accept or fully come to terms with that so we'll just pretend I'm not.

Anyways, I have the lion cub at work with me today and a doctor appointment scheduled for this morning, so I'm short on time.

I'm on day three of no grains of any type. Overall, it hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be -- so far. I do think it helped that I cut back considerably for the couple of weeks leading up to the big jump. It is a bit more challenging today as I'm sick err... perfectly healthy. I will not be sick. I will not be sick. I want all the carbs and all the comfort foods! But I'm determined to trudge ahead. 

Since I'm only a couple days in, there isn't too much to report yet. I'm just getting into the swing of things at this point. Hopefully, next week, I will have more insight.

At least he can still be a little comedian on only 2 hours sleep and feeling horrible.

Wheat Belly Wednesday - {1}

It's Wheat Belly Wednesday - Edition 1!

The Background

I started my weight loss journey last April after a year long battle with various illnesses. In the beginning I counted calories and was doing Jillian Michael's Body Revolution. Pounds and inches were falling off and I was addicted to my new lifestyle. By the end of summer, and shortly after completing JMBR, I hit a plateau. Now, I'm no stranger to weight loss. I'd lost roughly 50 pounds before I got pregnant with my son. It was easy then and I never experienced a true plateau that time around.

September came and I was completely frustrated with the scale. I struggled to stay motivated when I wasn't seeing the results. October rolled around and I, once again, was hit with illnesses that I just could not break. On top of being sick, my body has been hurting daily. I started experiencing constant fatigue no matter how many hours of sleep I got. Plus a host of other symptoms. It was clear that I was in another Lupus flare up. You can read my Lupus diagnosis story HERE.

Until the past 18 months, I've been very fortunate with my Lupus. For about a 5 year period, I had virtually no symptoms. It was a great time and made it very easy to put myself in a state of denial about my health. I managed to get through Fit 4 Christmas in a fairly healthy state and started to see results again. My motivation was back and I was ready to kick things into high gear. By January, I got a bad case of bronchitis and a chronic sinus infection. I was put on steroids and a host of other antibiotics. Steroids always make me balloon up and I felt so defeated. The combination of medications, no workouts, and a poor attitude, I almost completely gave up my healthy lifestyle. The scale has been creeping up every since and I've struggled to get my mind in the right place.

With my Lupus being more "active" as of late, the doctors recommended I get back in with a Rheumatologist and begin a treatment plan. Lupus is not curable. All they can do is try and help the symptoms themselves. Which is fine and dandy, but it has awful side effects. One of which is weight gain. I'm just not ready to take that step. 

Before taking drastic steps, I wanted to see what I could do for myself to help my immune system and the pain. Some Google searching lead me to some theories that a grain free diet is helpful in some cases of Lupus sufferers.

Enter Wheat Belly

I have read about Wheat Belly many times - mainly from Gwen over at Against the Grain. If you haven't checked her blog out, you really should. Gwen has lost over 60 pounds and looks amazing. I am constantly amazed by her self control and determination. She has embraced the Primal life and has seen awesome health benefits from doing so.

About 3 weeks ago, I decided to go grain free to see if it will help my health problems. I did some research online, but not enough. I have struggled to jump in, both feet. To fully embrace something, I need to understand it completely. Not just "stop eating wheat and I'll feel better". But to understand the hows and whys behind it. So, I bit the bullet and ordered the book. 

I'm not far into it (but plan to finish over the weekend) and I'm already blown away by the facts. It all makes sense and I hope that it will continue to pull me in and change my life. I'm starting a Beachbody Challenge (hybrid, as I'm changing a few things) on Monday, so I'm going completely grain free starting Monday. This will give me time to finish the book and feel ready to get to it.

I'll be sharing my journey every Wednesday on the blog. It's an "experiment" in many ways. I don't know if it will help my Lupus, but time will tell!