My Crossfit Gym issued a nutrition challenge last month. It's optional. There was a monetary buy in to join. As soon as they announced that they were going to put together a challenge I signed up. Before I even knew what the challenge was. I had just been considering what I had to change in my diet to start seeing better results in my body. I've been working out at Crossfit for some time now and I'm getting stronger, but I can't see much change in my body, and other than the few pounds I dropped right off the bat when I joined my scale hasn't moved much. It's moved, but not as much as I would like to see. So just as the timing was perfect when the gym opened, the timing is perfect for the nutrition challenge and I handed over my money and joined in.
Then, they gave us all the details. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't full blown paleo with no "cheat meals" built in. Well, there is one cheat meal. One in 30 days.
May 12 was the first day of the challenge. We get 3 points per day for being in the challenge. One point is taken away for everything we eat that isn't allowed on the challenge. And we get 2 extra points per week for coming to the gym at least 3 times per week. We are allowed one beer or serving of wine per week. And like I said, we have one cheat meal in the month.
The first week of the challenge was so easy. I had tons of motivation to do well and discover yummy things to eat. I *cooked*! I ate like a queen. It was all so good and there is no limit to the amount of food we can eat, just the types. I lost 7 pounds the first week. Holy cats! If I can lose 7 pounds in one week just by cutting out those foods that I don't need (and didn't miss), why haven't I done this already? The second week was just as easy. I had great ideas for meals and energy to cook them. The kids even enjoyed some of them.
Then we hit Memorial Day weekend. I went camping with some friends. And that's when it got tough for me. They all enjoyed beers and bloody Mary's by the fire, while I sipped my water. I ate almonds and dried fruit to give myself the feeling like I was getting something too. But that social aspect disappeared. I felt a little left out, and it's my own doing. I did splurge and enjoyed a bloody Mary and a roasted marshmallow. I counted it as my cheat meal and it was worth it. I had a great time, but something told me I'd have more fun if I felt a little looser with my self control. (which is part of the reason I have the problem I have. I have little self control).
The next week was difficult too. I ran out of the momentum to make the healthy meals I made the first 2 weeks. Though I did purchase a food processor to help ease the difficulty. I knew that I'd hate washing it, and would get it out less frequently than I hoped too. (It's easy to wash, I don't know why I have an issue with that). I lost a few pounds this week as well. Nothing like the first week at all, and I saw a few more ups and downs.
I just finished the last week of the challenge. I had a renewed energy about it during the last stretch. I purchased the healthy food to cook and made plans for the weeks meals (they include getting out the food processor and prepping all at once).
I'm both glad the challenge is over (I'm really wanting some sushi) and dreading the end of it, where I don't have someone to hold me accountable, other than me.
I only lost one point, during the whole month. I stuck to the challenge like glue. During the last week I learned that I was out of the running for first place (I gave up *one* point and it dropped me to second). Then I learned that there were two people battling for first and that was in third. Both of these girls were determined to make it through the challenge without losing any points. And I am so happy to be cheering them on! Today, I heard that I might be in second after all! I'm looking forward to the final challenge numbers to be tallied and to celebrate. But really the most important part to me was that I did it. I made it through the challenge. And lost 16 pounds in the process.
We had our photos taken for pre-challenge and post-challenge. I saw my photos side by side today. The coach is going to email them to me. There is definitely a difference. And it is so motivating. I'm going to ask her to take my photo every month so I can continue to watch that progress. I may post them. It will take me some nerve. I'm getting fitter, but I'm still quite embarrassed by how I look. I don't feel like I'm that big. What I see through other peoples eyes (camera) and my own is quite different. It's the same kind of thing anorexics see in the mirror that keeps them from fighting that disease, only opposite. So I'll keep working and eating right until both the pictures are similar.
I'm planning to continue my own personal challenge for the remainder of the summer. I'm not planning to be quite as strict. I'd like some wiggle room to have a drink with friends, or eat a meal my father (or anyone else) cooks for me without being picky. But I need to stick to this as closely as I can. It makes me feel good to eat this way. The next challenge though, does include a "volume" rule. I may be able to eat almonds, but I shouldn't eat ALL of them. There's a cap. I'm seeing progress in myself. I don't see changes in my body, but there are changes in how I feel. That's motivation to continue.
