Another update

Another Paleo Day done. I ate at a restaurant today for lunch and had BBQ pork brisket. I'm thinking the BBQ sauce had some sugar in it but I can't be certain. I had an afternoon meeting at a coffee shop and I ordered a green tea instead of a foofoo coffee drink.

I forgot to mention in my post yesterday about my acne. It's insane to me but it has done a complete 180 over the past week. I don't have any zits at all right now and a week ago, I had a gazillion. Today I left the house for about an hour and I didn't put on any makeup. Normally I can't do that because I have to wear foundation to cover up the pimples.

Seriously, it's a total difference over this past week but I'm not sure I'm convinced just yet that it's from the Paleo diet. My face tends to be either really good or really bad so this could just be my hormonal cycle doing what it normally does. Or it could be from eating better. Or a combination of the two. So I'm interested to see how my complexion looks the next couple of weeks...

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Going strong...

Hi everyone! Sorry to go a few days without blogging but things have been going good. I worked out on Sunday with a girlfriend and had so much fun!

I figured since I'm doing the 30-day Paleo Challenge from Mark's Daily Apple, I should probably do one of the workouts from there as well.

We did 500 reps! That was our exercise- do 500 reps. We had 6 different exercises to choose from and you could mix and match and take breaks whenever you choose. So I don't know exactly how many of reps of each particular movement I did, but it was a lot harder than I thought it'd be. Here are the 6 exercises I could choose from-
Weighted Lunges (25# plate)
Broad Jump (feet shoulder width apart- jump as far as you possibly can)
Plank (1 second = 1 rep)
Pull-ups (I used some assistance)
Push-ups (modified)
Squats

I tried to limit the number of planks I did only because those were the easiest for me. He made a comment on his blog that you can choose to do a lot of reps of the movement that's easiest for you and then the workout itself will be easier. Or you could choose do focus more on the movements that are more challenging and of course, the workout as a whole will be harder. I think I was more on the "challenging" spectrum which was good.

My quads from the broad jumps, lunges, and squats are soooooo sore today! Oh my goodness! I think the broad jumps are one of my favorite new movements- it's a very powerful and functional exercise that is not at all easy. Here's a video in case you're not sure what I'm talking about- check it out! Love it!

I've been doing really well eating Paleo. I had dinner at a friend's house on Saturday and had 2 glasses of wine (which is okay) but then I had a mixed drink with Diet soda and alcohol. Obviously, the diet soda is not technically allowed and I didn't even think about it until it was too late.

You may not want to keep reading... TMI coming- you have been warned!

I've been having serious gas these past few days! The only thing I can think of that's causing it is the increase in nuts I've been eating. I stocked up on Friday from the grocery store so I've been eating more than I probably should in one day. I don't measure my food or anything anymore so I have no idea if I'm only eating 1 oz or not. But I'll add almonds to my salad or I'll have some grapes and walnuts or a handful of macademia nuts.

So I'm going to go the next 3 days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) without eating any and see how I'm feeling. Mark's Daily Apple is all about testing your body's reaction to things so here I go!

How are things going with you?

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Primal Challenge Day 4

Today is Day #4 right? Wow, I'm a financial coach who can't count...don't tell anyone!

I have to admit- today I felt AWESOME! I had tons of energy throughout the day. I had one of those days where you look back over it and think, "Hot damn, I got a lot done! YES!"

It feels terrific.

I'm not really ready to link this energy level to the Paleo Challenge just yet. I'm a pretty productive person in general so this could have just been a good day. They happen.

If my energy level stays consistently high, however, then I'll attribute it to my healthy eating habits!

I must say, too, that my skin looks pretty good right now. It's definitely better than it was last week. No NEW zits so that's a good thing! Again, my acne is completely unpredictable so this could just be coincidence.

How was your energy level today? Did you get a lot done or was it a "blah" day?

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My measurements

"I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny, when a girl walks in..."

You're welcome. You're going to have that song in your head all day now! (insert evil laugh here)

Yesterday I took my measurements and they're something like the Baby Got Back - "36-24-36? Only if she's 5'3"..."

For comparison purposes:
The date was 9/13, it was 6:30PM and I was wearing work clothes without shoes.

Weight 137.8
Neck 32
R/L Arm (same) 28.5
Chest 90
Shoulders 103
Waist 72
Hips 104
R/L Thigh (same) 49
R/L Cafe (same) 36.4

All of those are in centimeters (in case you were wondering). So my Baby Got Back measurements are 35-28-41.  Booyah!

Today and yesterday were both really good Paleo days. It wasn't easy because I had meetings all day both days & yesterday lunch was provided. I feel really good today and felt focused and productive all day.

So far, so good!

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Crazy busy

I want to blog about Day 2 of the Paleo Challenge but I don't have time. Today I remembered to take my measurements and my weight- something I should have done yesterday or even the day before but forgot.

I was busy ALL day today and tomorrow is not going to be any different. I've got some prep work to do before I head out tomorrow and I promised myself I'd go to bed at a decent hour- getting adequate sleep is also part of the Paleo Challenge!

Tomorrow I'll update with all my measurements but I'll give you this hint:

I'm a curvy bitch.

...and damn proud of it! LOL

MAKE ToDaY GREAT!!

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Primal Challenge Day 1

Well, Day Numero Uno of the 30-day Paleo Challenge is over and I have to admit, it felt like any other day.

I'd have to say that 5 days out of every week, I eat strict paleo. It's just those other two days- when I'm on the road for work or meeting clients/friends at a restaurant that I tend to cheat.

The question on the Mark's Daily Apple today got me thinking about what exactly I'm trying to achieve with this challenge and here it is-

I want to become acutely aware of how my food choices (particularly the small "cheats" I make) affect my energy level, my acne, and my weight.

There it is. Because I'm healthy most of the time, I tend to tell myself that those cheats each week don't matter. I think that's a total lie that I'm telling myself but I need proof. So I'm planning to observe and make mental notes of how I'm feeling and what my complexion looks like. Of course, I'm hoping my skin is uber clear and flawless by the end of the 30 days but we'll just have to see.

I also want to be more active during the day. Since I spend a lot of time at home, at my desk, at my computer, I don't want to become lazy. This is my goal but ever since I got the new puppy (see prior post), she has to go out every 30 minutes so that's no problem at all!

The only "mistake" I made today and I didn't even realize it wasn't allowed or I wouldn't have done it is put agave nectar in my morning coffee. I literally put one drop every morning and did not realize this would violate the challenge so going forward I won't do that obviously. You're not supposed to consume any additional sweeteners of any kind which is what agave nectar is so oopsy.

Here's what I ate today & how I felt:
Breakfast:
Scrambled eggs with bacon and various veggies- red pepper, broccoli, zucchini, etc.
Coffee with coconut milk and agave nectar (oops)

Snack:
Leftover mashed sweet potatoes, leftover strips of bacon

Lunch:
Chicken apple sausage
Salad with spinach, carrots, red peppers, zucchinis, olive oil and vinegar
Apple with almond butter

I was really tired after lunch and even fell asleep on the couch for a power nap.

Snack:
Espresso with coconut milk
Nectarine

Dinner:
Chorizo skillet with diced tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and red peppers
Nectarine

What did you eat today? :-P

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So awesome!

I'm super excited right now. My readers are awesome! I'm really looking forward to blogging the 30-day Primal Challenge starting on Monday and Cheri over at No Crying in CrossFit is going to do the same! You guys have totally motivated me to keep blogging and get back into my routine...

I'm going to give the challenge all I've got and blog about how it goes.

But, in the meantime, look what we got yesterday:

The big dog has been ours for quite a while. But that little shit, she's new. Her name is Storm because one of Michael's patients found her in a storm drain. I was really rooting for Bacon but someone pointed out that if I named my dog Bacon, I'd always feel weird thinking or saying, "Mmmm Bacon." So true.

We think she's a Chihuahua and Dachsund mix but her vet appointment isn't until Monday so we're sort of guessing. Although a friend of ours has just that and she looks just like her.

It took her all of 5 minutes to piss in the house twice, find the cords to chew on, bite my toes, and tear apart the roll of paper towel I was using to clean up the pee. I was alone at the time but I was literally crying with laughter because I realized, "What were we thinking?"

But when she's not chasing my feet when I walk through the room, she's a snuggle-bug. And if we're too busy to cuddle with, well, let's just say she's found an alternative.

It's been an exciting 24 hours to the say the least!

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Any followers left?

I'm curious if I have any followers left anymore? I have been updating so scarcely I wouldn't be surprised if you've all left! :) I have no excuses...

Fiscal Fitness has a Facebook page where I share budgeting tips, ideas, quotes, articles, etc. Please "Like" the Facebook page- click HERE!

I'm excited to announce that the 30-day Primal Blueprint Challenge begins on Monday! Click HERE to read more about this challenge! You absolutely, positively should consider GETTING PRIMAL for these 30 days. I know I will be doing it and I couldn't be more excited about it. It's the kick-in-the-pants I need right now.

Also, I really like the Robb Wolf podcasts over at The Paleo Solution. But I must tell you that this one recently done is one of the best ones yet. Please take a few minutes out of your week to listen to this!

Next week the temps in AZ are supposed to start decreasing FINALLY. It's been so hot and we desperately need a break. Don't get me wrong, it's still going to be over 100 for another two weeks but then it will start going down quickly.

This past weekend we were in Michigan visiting with family and getting ready to list our home there. Here are a few pictures of me with my sisters, nieces, and grandparents.

My nieces showing me their mad face. LOL I love these girls!

Me with my two sisters- we're all starting to look a lot alike if you ask me!

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