i won't lie. the first two days were rough as i was hit with the worst caffeine headache. but, once the first two days passed, so did the headache. it's been a lot of fun trying different recipes, finding what works and what doesn't. if i had to pick my favorite dishes? broccoli quiche, zucchini carbonara, pizza frittata were by far the best! and i've been drinking SO MUCH water! all i drink is water (although i am allowed 100% fruit juice, minimally).

i must say that a great diet coupled with doing crossfit 4 days/week is working wonders on my body already. for the first time in years, i can feel my abs without having to suck it in! and i'm stronger AND from when i last weighed myself before the challenge and now, i've dropped at least 5 lbs. AWESOME!

at the end of the challenge, i'll post pictures of what i've been eating so you can see what delicious and not-so-delicious things i've been eating lately look like! :)

week two (m 2.20 - s 2.26)

breakfast: pizza frittata (delicious!), attempted crepes (too many yokes in my whites!), fruit

lunch: cranberry tun salad

dinner: zucchini carbonara, salad with pear, sweet potatoes, kabob meat, taco salad (small group food night), steaks with romesco sauce

snacks/desserts: blueberry muffins, peach clafouti

water: 24 (16.9 fl oz bottles)

week three (m 2.27 - s 3.4)

breakfast: zucchini egg bake, coconut pancakes, fruit

lunch: cranberry tuna salad, blta chicken breast sandwich

dinner: fish tacos with citrus dressing (maybe with shrimp?), pork chop, sweet potatoes, asparagus

snacks/desserts: pumpkin nut muffins, nutty blueberry protein balls

source: crossfit impulse

on tuesday, february 13, i will embark on a new adventure: a 30 day nutrition challenge through oak city crossfit. 30 days of no sunkist, no orange juice, no potato chips or lean cuisines..basically, 90% of my current way of eating is eliminated. awesome.

how it works: 1. pay the 40$ buy in; 2. take photos and measurements and add them to the body composition information from last month; 3. declare which diet you will follow: whole30, paleo, primal, or zone; 4. at the end of 30 days, have another body composition test done. if i've lost (+)10% of my FAT MASS (not overall body fat percentage!), i'll get 20$ back. the rest goes towards the prize money for the winner. the winner is the person who has the biggest decrease in fat mass (as a %).

the program i have elected to follow is primal. one of the main differences between paleo and primal is that a primal diet allows for some dairy. basically, it's the philosophy that it's more important to eat, move and live according to how humans were designed and not according to society's artificial developments of the last 100 years.

i toyed with the idea of participating in the challenge without the financial obligation. but, i figured it's better to take the risk and go all in. and believe me, i'm in. plus, the financial incentive is enticing. ;)

this week's meals/snacks

breakfast

- broccoli quiche

lunch

- arugula & blueberry salad with raspberry vinaigrette

- cranberry tuna salad

dinner

- zucchini carbonara

- curry coconut meatballs

snacks

- nutty blueberry protein balls

- tropical avocado and shrimp

- chicken egg drop soup

wish me luck!! :D

february

- church @ summit

- monthly offering (29$)

- occf (3-4 days/week)

- 30 day nutrition challenge starts 2.13

- occf goals (pull ups & double unders)

- deliver painting

- massage

- build/paint/install fc surround/desk

- sort tubs/etc. in bonus room

- bag/tag/deliveries for goodwill, blbc, nrmcts

- paintings for spring birthdays

- quit

- occf ladies' night @ wine & design, 2.9

- dogsit/housesit 2.2-2.7

- get a p/t job

- occf weightlifting clinic - back squat, 2.18

- job search continues...