15,000 Fan Giveaway
What's not to like about the 15,000 Fan Giveaway over at Civilized Caveman! He the man!! :)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
When athletes eat a paleo diet
I just read it again on someone else's blog; a commenter was convinced she needed to load up on carbs for her full on workouts. And who can blame her... and thousands (millions) of others who are force fed this information wherever they look. If I relied on my Runner's World magazine alone, I'd be right there with her. And of course, this used to be me just over a year ago, when the night before my half marathons I ate a bowl of pasta, and immediately before the race I'd eat a banana, a granola bar, and drink a glass of orange juice. About halfway through my races I'd struggle with an upset stomach. But I wasn't terribly concerned about it, as I'd read many times that this was a common occurrence during races for many runners.
When I changed my diet, I didn't quite understand yet what effects this would have on every aspect of my life. After having survived the carb flu (brain fog, sluggishness, headaches), I was bursting with loads of energy. I slept better, was regular, and felt so much better overall. Of course, I still was concerned about how well I could perform, not loading up on carbs before workouts and ultimately my half marathon that was coming up quickly.
I did a little bit of homework (okay, hours and hours of homework), and learned, that paleo athletes perform at an incredible rate with an amazing amount of energy. A whole book has been written, called The Paleo Diet for Athletes. But, quite honestly, I had no interest in getting into the science of it all. I was already convinced, that living the paleo life was the right thing to do.
I started having coconut milk shakes (coconut milk, a banana, a spoonful of almond butter, an egg yolk and a handful of blueberries) before workouts. When I didn't feel hungry, I'd only eat a little something... sometimes as little as half a banana, or half of a Lara Bar. Needless to say, I was incredibly impressed by my performance. I actually increased my running speed by almost 2 minutes per mile. After my runs I'd load up on protein and vegetables. This satisfied any cravings for junk food I might have had. However, those cravings for junk/carbs subsided very quickly. Soon, all I could think about after a race was how quickly I could get my hands on a steak or a paleo burger. I recovered quicker, hurt less, ran faster. There were no disadvantages to this new way of life.
This is not to say, that this will work for every single person. If you are a serious, hard working athlete, I strongly advise you to do your own research. Read the Paleo Diet for Athletes book.
Also check out Mark's piece on Endurance Training and the Paleo Lifestyle. Mark does not recommend endurance training, so you will have to decide for yourself, what works for you, and if you should do this.
I run, because I love it. Running makes me happy. It is my passion, and I will continue to run as long as it feels right for me. What I do know is that carb loading is a thing of the past in my life, and I cannot wait for the first article in Runner's World, that will cover a runner, who lives and performs on the paleo diet. As a matter of fact... maybe I'll write a query right now. ;)
When I changed my diet, I didn't quite understand yet what effects this would have on every aspect of my life. After having survived the carb flu (brain fog, sluggishness, headaches), I was bursting with loads of energy. I slept better, was regular, and felt so much better overall. Of course, I still was concerned about how well I could perform, not loading up on carbs before workouts and ultimately my half marathon that was coming up quickly.
I did a little bit of homework (okay, hours and hours of homework), and learned, that paleo athletes perform at an incredible rate with an amazing amount of energy. A whole book has been written, called The Paleo Diet for Athletes. But, quite honestly, I had no interest in getting into the science of it all. I was already convinced, that living the paleo life was the right thing to do.
I started having coconut milk shakes (coconut milk, a banana, a spoonful of almond butter, an egg yolk and a handful of blueberries) before workouts. When I didn't feel hungry, I'd only eat a little something... sometimes as little as half a banana, or half of a Lara Bar. Needless to say, I was incredibly impressed by my performance. I actually increased my running speed by almost 2 minutes per mile. After my runs I'd load up on protein and vegetables. This satisfied any cravings for junk food I might have had. However, those cravings for junk/carbs subsided very quickly. Soon, all I could think about after a race was how quickly I could get my hands on a steak or a paleo burger. I recovered quicker, hurt less, ran faster. There were no disadvantages to this new way of life.
This is not to say, that this will work for every single person. If you are a serious, hard working athlete, I strongly advise you to do your own research. Read the Paleo Diet for Athletes book.
Also check out Mark's piece on Endurance Training and the Paleo Lifestyle. Mark does not recommend endurance training, so you will have to decide for yourself, what works for you, and if you should do this.
I run, because I love it. Running makes me happy. It is my passion, and I will continue to run as long as it feels right for me. What I do know is that carb loading is a thing of the past in my life, and I cannot wait for the first article in Runner's World, that will cover a runner, who lives and performs on the paleo diet. As a matter of fact... maybe I'll write a query right now. ;)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Another imported blog post from my old blog...
Yep, I was done, and seeing my family cheer and call out to me, that was the greatest moment of my Mother's Day. I couldn't have been happier to see them. ;)
In the afternoon I was chatting with some friends about what went through my head throughout the race, and looking back, it's actually quite hysterical, so I will share with all of you. Maybe you'll get a good laugh out of it as well. Before I give you access to my brain though, let me tell you a little about what the race was like. It was a flat route for the entire 13.1 miles, and we ran the same loop twice. "We", being 3,000 runners! The weather was actually perfect for running a race... overcast and cool. Couldn't have asked for a better running day.
And so, here it goes.
First loop:
"Oh, this is easy. I could do this for hours."
"Damn Runkeeper. Why is it not counting my distance? Fine, I'll turn it off."
"Look, grass. I'll run on that." (Reminder: I run in the Vibram Five Fingers)
"Ha! Haven't heard that song in ages."
"Oh, hey there, J.J." (That was something I actually said. LOL)
"Cool country road."
"Wow, I like her stockings."
"What the heck is it with those stockings? Are they supposed to be good for something? I wonder if they're compression stockings."
"Nice butt. I wonder what my butt looks like in these pants."
Beginning of second loop:
"Great, why is there a rock in my shoe? You're supposed to keep rocks out, Vibrams!"
"I hate this song. Why'd I put it on there?"
"Love that shirt. Must remember that line." (Did I remember the line? Nope!)
"Hey, where'd this speedy chick come from?"
"Finally, back on the grass."
"Damn, my left foot hurts."
Around mile 9:
"Phhhh, I really don't like running all that much."
"Why do I keep doing this?"
"Hello-hooo... is there a water station anywhere?"
"Okay, what's up wit this? Am I getting slower or are they getting faster?"
"Ouch, my left foot, damn it."
Around mile 11:
"I will NEVER run a marathon. As a matter of fact, I think I'll tell B. that I'm done running."
"Stupid me. Why'd I buy that "love to run" necklace? I hate running."
"Hey, you, tall, big girl in the pink shirt! You will NOT cross the finish line before me!"
"Ha, told ya, you weren't faster than me."
"Damn it, I told you not to cross the finish line before."
"Neener neener. I'm beating you!!"
Mile 13:
"Oh my gosh, that's it. I did it!"
"There they are! Cool!!" (They being my family.)
"Woooohoooooo!!!" (Calling out to my family.)
"And I'm done!"
About two hours later:
"I wonder how I can improve my running, so I can be in even better shape during the next race."
Yep, that's how it happened. Lots of random thoughts. Somewhere in there I was also thinking about a Facebook conversation I'd had with a friend, about what my next post for this blog might be, and how incredibly hungry I would be for the rest of the day.
Burgers, sausages, and bacon hit the spot in the afternoon. Of course I'm still craving lots of protein today. Steaks for dinner, baby!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What to expect... when you go paleo!
One year ago I made the decision to change my life forever. I had done some homework on the paleo lifestyle, and all of a sudden it made complete sense to live like this. Unlike many others I went cold turkey. I threw out all grains, sugars, dairy etc, and I pulled my family with me. My husband followed my lead happily, my children with some hesitation. Today, he's about 90% paleo, the kids between 70 and 80%.
Here's what I've learned over the past 12 months... and what I think you can expect as well.
1) If you choose to go cold turkey, expect to feel less than stellar in the first couple of weeks. In my case, the low carb flu gave me severe headaches, I was moody and confused, and I wanted my sugar and bread back. Granted, I'm also a sugar addict if you've ever seen one. DO NOT GIVE UP! It goes away, and when it's over you will feel absolutely wonderful, full of energy and power.
2) You'll poop differently. This is nothing to worry about. When you eat lots of meat and vegetables, your stool will look a greenish brown (or a brownish green?) and you'll find it much easier to go.
3) You may experience quick weight loss in the first few weeks, which will slow down eventually. You'll flush out a ton of toxins, get rid of the inflammation, and BYE BYE, wheat belly!
4) You'll get the look. People WILL look at you funny. And some will tell you you're doing it all wrong. After all, we're told by the government that lots of whole grains are the way to go. Do your homework, so you have a comeback for the know-it-alls... Grow a thick skin. Avoid discussions with people who want to convert you. You won't convert them, they won't convert you. It's useless to get stuck in that conversation.
5) You will spend a good amount of time in your kitchen. After a year this is still true for me. I spend a good half hour preparing breakfast in the morning. It used to be bread, nutella, pb&j... Now it's eggs, bacon, fruit salad, paleo pancakes... My greatest piece of advice if you're in a rush a lot. On a day when you actually do have time, cook larger amounts of these foods. I generally have a few containers of burgers, boiled eggs, cooked chicken, and cut up fruit sitting in my fridge. Makes for quick and easy lunches or snacks. Also, now is the time to plan your shopping trips for several days. Make a plan for what you're going to eat during the week, then go shopping once... not 15 times. :)
6) Do you have kids? They will likely not jump up and down excitedly as you make these changes in your and their lives. Their entire lives they've heard, grains are great. Plus pasta is delicious. And candy... yum! They're going to be skeptical. Be proud of them for it. It's a character trait that they will benefit from when they grow up. For now, be patient. I cook all paleo meals, and my children eat them. BUT, I also have some non-paleo granola at home. And I still do buy some sugary treats now and then. When my husband and I have a date night, I let them eat pasta. But I also consistently keep the conversation going. I tell them about articles I've read, new things I've learned. After one year, they try to eat a lot more paleo than at the beginning. It's a process... and I'm perfectly happy with them being paleo the majority of the time.
7) Restaurants! After a few months you'll have learned where you can go and what places to avoid completely. My advice: check their website before you leave the house. If they don't have a menu posted, call them. Ask them if they have a gluten free menu. If you cannot check the website or call beforehand, let the server know that you have a severe gluten intolerance, so you NEED TO KNOW what's in your food. I actually asked for an ingredients list on several occasions. These days a lot of restaurants are used to people with food issues. They keep a thick book of their menu items with the ingredients. Soon enough, you'll know exactly what you can and cannot eat. When it comes to salads, I generally ask the server for oil and vinegar.
8) You'll probably become a little bit obsessed with food. :) I spent countless hours researching not only what foods I can eat and what I should avoid, but also where my food should come from. I order ground beef in bulk, make sure I never run out of coconut milk, and smoked salmon is my new best friend.
9) You'll probably also become a little obsessed with every piece of information you can get your hands on. Have fun with that. :)
10) You will feel better than you have in a long time. I know I do. I sleep better, I'm regular, I'm at my ideal weight. I am physically and emotionally in great shape. I'm a much happier person than I've ever been. Surrounding myself with like-minded people online and in the real world has made a huge difference. I wouldn't want to have done it all alone. But with the support of friends it's very doable.
Questions? Leave a comment. :)
Here's what I've learned over the past 12 months... and what I think you can expect as well.
1) If you choose to go cold turkey, expect to feel less than stellar in the first couple of weeks. In my case, the low carb flu gave me severe headaches, I was moody and confused, and I wanted my sugar and bread back. Granted, I'm also a sugar addict if you've ever seen one. DO NOT GIVE UP! It goes away, and when it's over you will feel absolutely wonderful, full of energy and power.
2) You'll poop differently. This is nothing to worry about. When you eat lots of meat and vegetables, your stool will look a greenish brown (or a brownish green?) and you'll find it much easier to go.
3) You may experience quick weight loss in the first few weeks, which will slow down eventually. You'll flush out a ton of toxins, get rid of the inflammation, and BYE BYE, wheat belly!
4) You'll get the look. People WILL look at you funny. And some will tell you you're doing it all wrong. After all, we're told by the government that lots of whole grains are the way to go. Do your homework, so you have a comeback for the know-it-alls... Grow a thick skin. Avoid discussions with people who want to convert you. You won't convert them, they won't convert you. It's useless to get stuck in that conversation.
5) You will spend a good amount of time in your kitchen. After a year this is still true for me. I spend a good half hour preparing breakfast in the morning. It used to be bread, nutella, pb&j... Now it's eggs, bacon, fruit salad, paleo pancakes... My greatest piece of advice if you're in a rush a lot. On a day when you actually do have time, cook larger amounts of these foods. I generally have a few containers of burgers, boiled eggs, cooked chicken, and cut up fruit sitting in my fridge. Makes for quick and easy lunches or snacks. Also, now is the time to plan your shopping trips for several days. Make a plan for what you're going to eat during the week, then go shopping once... not 15 times. :)
6) Do you have kids? They will likely not jump up and down excitedly as you make these changes in your and their lives. Their entire lives they've heard, grains are great. Plus pasta is delicious. And candy... yum! They're going to be skeptical. Be proud of them for it. It's a character trait that they will benefit from when they grow up. For now, be patient. I cook all paleo meals, and my children eat them. BUT, I also have some non-paleo granola at home. And I still do buy some sugary treats now and then. When my husband and I have a date night, I let them eat pasta. But I also consistently keep the conversation going. I tell them about articles I've read, new things I've learned. After one year, they try to eat a lot more paleo than at the beginning. It's a process... and I'm perfectly happy with them being paleo the majority of the time.
7) Restaurants! After a few months you'll have learned where you can go and what places to avoid completely. My advice: check their website before you leave the house. If they don't have a menu posted, call them. Ask them if they have a gluten free menu. If you cannot check the website or call beforehand, let the server know that you have a severe gluten intolerance, so you NEED TO KNOW what's in your food. I actually asked for an ingredients list on several occasions. These days a lot of restaurants are used to people with food issues. They keep a thick book of their menu items with the ingredients. Soon enough, you'll know exactly what you can and cannot eat. When it comes to salads, I generally ask the server for oil and vinegar.
8) You'll probably become a little bit obsessed with food. :) I spent countless hours researching not only what foods I can eat and what I should avoid, but also where my food should come from. I order ground beef in bulk, make sure I never run out of coconut milk, and smoked salmon is my new best friend.
9) You'll probably also become a little obsessed with every piece of information you can get your hands on. Have fun with that. :)
10) You will feel better than you have in a long time. I know I do. I sleep better, I'm regular, I'm at my ideal weight. I am physically and emotionally in great shape. I'm a much happier person than I've ever been. Surrounding myself with like-minded people online and in the real world has made a huge difference. I wouldn't want to have done it all alone. But with the support of friends it's very doable.
Questions? Leave a comment. :)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Carb Flu
The following is a blog post I wrote on my old blog, and I think it is worth posting it here as well.
Carb Flu
I'm reading a book called Run Like A Mother, written by Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell. I bought the book in April when I picked up my packet for the Race for the Roses Half Marathon. I shook hands with Sarah, who lives right here in Portland. She is as tall as I am, which I loved of course.
The book is a pretty good read, although I'll say that there is not a whole lot of new information for me. It's more entertaining than educational if you will. However, when they get to talking about nutrition, I couldn't help being a little turned off. I believe it is Sarah who wrote about doing a 14 day trial of the South Beach Diet. She is a carb junkie, loves all bagels, pasta, and other grains, and was hesitant about trying low carbing. But well, as a contributor for Runner's World Magazine, she agreed to experiment with the South Beach Diet.
Obviously it could only go wrong. She felt miserable for the entire 14 days, but instead of going a little deeper, she quickly dismissed the low carb diet as no good and happily went back to her old ways of eating lots and lots of carbs. I don't claim to hold the truth for everyone and everything. But I was turned off by how quickly she was to argue that runners should not eat a low carb diet. Why?
1.) The South Beach Diet is not the way to go. Yeah, sorry, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it. With this diet you still rely too heavily on grains. Those need to go. Period!
2.) Fourteen days are not enough! She quit right at the point when her body was getting used to this different kind of fuel. I'm arguing that, being a carb junkie, she should have stuck with it for at least 30 days.
3.) A little more research into the subject of low carbing would have led her to the paleo/primal way of life, and with that to forums where nutrition for runners is discussed in great detail.
Her experience could have been an entirely different one had she known about the carb flu, adjusted her running accordingly, and stuck it out for at least one month. I remember all too well, how miserable I felt for a couple of weeks. Getting the sugar and grains out of my body completely took some time. But once I got past it, I felt better than ever before. Before long runs I do eat more carbs to keep my body fueled, but I do not need pasta or bagels in order to run better.
As a matter of fact, I ran a much better Half Marathon this year than I did last year, when I still ate according to conventional wisdom. Last year I ran an average 12minute/mile. This morning, during my Team in Training run of 9 miles, I ran an average of 9.5minute/mile. Granted I'm working out differently, but honestly, I think that eating like this has made a huge difference in my overall performance. (It's made me about 30lbs lighter, too!)
Read all about the carb flu at Mark's Daily Apple.
BTW: Current weight: 154lbs. At a height of almost 6feet this is better than I ever expected!!
The book is a pretty good read, although I'll say that there is not a whole lot of new information for me. It's more entertaining than educational if you will. However, when they get to talking about nutrition, I couldn't help being a little turned off. I believe it is Sarah who wrote about doing a 14 day trial of the South Beach Diet. She is a carb junkie, loves all bagels, pasta, and other grains, and was hesitant about trying low carbing. But well, as a contributor for Runner's World Magazine, she agreed to experiment with the South Beach Diet.
Obviously it could only go wrong. She felt miserable for the entire 14 days, but instead of going a little deeper, she quickly dismissed the low carb diet as no good and happily went back to her old ways of eating lots and lots of carbs. I don't claim to hold the truth for everyone and everything. But I was turned off by how quickly she was to argue that runners should not eat a low carb diet. Why?
1.) The South Beach Diet is not the way to go. Yeah, sorry, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it. With this diet you still rely too heavily on grains. Those need to go. Period!
2.) Fourteen days are not enough! She quit right at the point when her body was getting used to this different kind of fuel. I'm arguing that, being a carb junkie, she should have stuck with it for at least 30 days.
3.) A little more research into the subject of low carbing would have led her to the paleo/primal way of life, and with that to forums where nutrition for runners is discussed in great detail.
Her experience could have been an entirely different one had she known about the carb flu, adjusted her running accordingly, and stuck it out for at least one month. I remember all too well, how miserable I felt for a couple of weeks. Getting the sugar and grains out of my body completely took some time. But once I got past it, I felt better than ever before. Before long runs I do eat more carbs to keep my body fueled, but I do not need pasta or bagels in order to run better.
As a matter of fact, I ran a much better Half Marathon this year than I did last year, when I still ate according to conventional wisdom. Last year I ran an average 12minute/mile. This morning, during my Team in Training run of 9 miles, I ran an average of 9.5minute/mile. Granted I'm working out differently, but honestly, I think that eating like this has made a huge difference in my overall performance. (It's made me about 30lbs lighter, too!)
Read all about the carb flu at Mark's Daily Apple.
BTW: Current weight: 154lbs. At a height of almost 6feet this is better than I ever expected!!
Sick cavegirl...
It appears I have the flu (or whatever it is that a lot of people casually refer to as the flu even if it isn't). I am tired, have a headache, upset stomach, low grade fever, a swollen lymph node in my armpit, and cooking eggs for breakfast felt like a workout at the gym. I ended up breathing like a horse, broke out in a sweat, and had to find a seat. And that's where I still am now.
I spent the entire day yesterday in bed, with the exception of frequent bathroom breaks.
And yet, with everything that's wrong, I can't help but look on the bright side of it all. Unlike years ago during sickness, I am eating several servings of protein with a small salad or an apple with almond butter. Surprisingly, my upset stomach doesn't revolt against the food that enters my body. Quite the opposite: shortly after eating, I feel a burst of energy, that allows me to take care of basic needs, as my family is out and about, giving me time and space to heal.
Today, I still have a fever, but I don't feel as weak and miserable as I know I would have, if I still ate a Standard American Diet (SAD). I'm letting the fever run its course instead of interfering with ibuprofen or some other painkiller. I realize it may be a luxury to just sit and wait it out. So I do consider myself lucky. I am optimistic, that within a couple of days, I will be my good old self yet again.
I spent the entire day yesterday in bed, with the exception of frequent bathroom breaks.
And yet, with everything that's wrong, I can't help but look on the bright side of it all. Unlike years ago during sickness, I am eating several servings of protein with a small salad or an apple with almond butter. Surprisingly, my upset stomach doesn't revolt against the food that enters my body. Quite the opposite: shortly after eating, I feel a burst of energy, that allows me to take care of basic needs, as my family is out and about, giving me time and space to heal.
Today, I still have a fever, but I don't feel as weak and miserable as I know I would have, if I still ate a Standard American Diet (SAD). I'm letting the fever run its course instead of interfering with ibuprofen or some other painkiller. I realize it may be a luxury to just sit and wait it out. So I do consider myself lucky. I am optimistic, that within a couple of days, I will be my good old self yet again.
Friday, January 6, 2012
And so it begins... once again...
 |
| December 2010. I'm on the right. |
Back to my early morning run with Barb. She listened to my little rant, and then recommended I should give the paleo diet a try. It's not like I hadn't heard of the paleo diet before. A mere three months before, my best friend "Shady Lady" (that's her blogging name) told me she'd like to try the paleo lifestyle. I looked at her like she'd gone insane and told her that was just crazy. And because she didn't have any support, she quit after a few weeks. Well, on that cold January day, this paleo "thing" sounded a lot more reasonable. It made sense!
I went home, got on the computer, and googled. And I went to Mark Sisson's website, where I didn't just find valuable information on eating like a caveman, but I also read hundreds of success stories. Wow! This paleo lifestyle might not be a bad idea after all, I said to myself, and started that day.
 |
| July 2011 |
 |
| Yup, I had a very excited husband, when I looked like this. |
And then, the holidays came around, and with it several parties, wine, sugary treats (sugary German treats in particular), and I thought, what's wrong with cheating a little for just a month. I cheated. Almost every day. I even started eating certain gluten products again. And of course, give a sugar addict some sugar, and she'll want more of it. By New Year's Eve, this cavegirl was starting to gain weight, experienced weird hip pains, and craved sugar every day.
Time to go back to the roots once more! I started the new year with a 30 day challenge. No sugar, no dairy, no alcohol, no processed foods, certainly no gluten. I'm back. I'm on Day 6 today, and if it wasn't for the flu (the actual flu, not the carb flu), I know I'd feel fantastic. Welcome to my blog. I hope you'll join me on my journey. Have a happy day! For more posts from me on my old blog, go to Such Lovely Freckles
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