#wholeathlete

[fitnesswithalice]

MEAL PREP DAY! #mealprep All #whole30 friendly foods in honor of my girl @gpao25 starting her second Whole30 experience today! I'm so proud of you girl - giving your body and your mind what it needs. It's about taking initiative in your life. Making time for yourself and making your #health a priority! @whole9life #wholeathlete #whole9life @stupideasypaleo #paleoathlete #stupideasypaleo #steaknotcake @1stphorm #1stphorm

[fitnesswithalice]

It's National Nutrition Month! Challenge yourself to make healthy eating a priority this month. Nutrition makes all the difference. Fuel yourself optimally, reach your goals sooner. "With each step comes the decision to take another." It starts with small choices, then you're motivated to make more healthy choices and soon you've created a powerful momentum inside of yourself. Let that healthy momentum move you forward. Turn your life around, starting with your nutrition, and be your own inspiration.

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 30

Well this month just flew by!  My sister and I were just lamenting about all the Whole30 recipes we didn't get to try before our 30th and final day.  And you know what I realized?  This is not the end.  Its only the beginning.  Who says I have to be in the midst of a Whole30 to cook Whole30 approved recipes?  Absolutely no one. I'm the boss. I do what I want.  

What I want is to carry this knowledge of nutrition throughout my life.  I want to bring healthy (possibly Whole30 compliant) dishes to every potluck I'm invited to.  I want to keep inspiring people to take the plunge and commit to their first Whole30 experience.  I want to make an impact on someones life and health forever.  

Its been a great 30 days….   Can't wait for my next challenge!  

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 29

Two restaurant meals today reminded me just how spoiled I am during whole30. I want my food when I want it, how I want it, exactly my way. And generally at this point I feel like I can do it better, sorry restaurant owners. Hashtag spoiled healthy princess.

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 28

It's important to make lemonade when life hands you lemons. Turns out my injury is a bit more extensive than just a sprained elbow. Ulnar nerve issues through my entire right arm. Bummer. Lemonade = I have time. My resume was in serious need of a face life. My house needs some organizational TLC. The people in my life need some TLC, for that matter. I have time to nurture those relationships. I want to get involved in my community. I want to make crafts off Pinterest and try new recipes. Most importantly. This injury has slowed me down enough to force me to take a look at my life and realize I'm not entirely happy with it. I have the opportunity to extract my identity from being tangled up in athletics and reinvent my purpose. Some days are harder than others, but overall I'm enjoying this unique experience. Lemonade.

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 27

Wow.  Time has flown.  This Whole30 thing is nearly over!  I'm actually feeling a bit remorseful.  The real world is big and scary and full of bad food.  I like the safety and comfort of my Whole30 rules.  Everything fits neatly into my little Whole30 box and I don't have to worry or make choices.  Can you tell I love structure?

The time has come to start thinking about how I want to proceed after Whole30.  What will my everyday routine look like?  Will I add back my ugly sugary supplements?  Thermogenics?  Protein shakes?  I am way past ever considering adding back dairy or gluten.  But what about oatmeal?  I used to love oatmeal.  Will I ever drink again?  I can't recover from ingesting alcohol in less than 4 days anymore.  Not worth it, I'm thinking…..I have so many questions circling around in my brain!  And I feel pressured (by my own self judgment)  to have a distinct black and white answer for everything, right this minute.   

But I have to start considering my nutrition as an ever evolving lifestyle.  What works today may not work for me next year.  One day maybe I'll finally give up on tracking my food.  (Despite all the evidence that I should quit, I still can't give up this bad habit yet.)  I need to abandon feelings of panic and guilt.  Learn to live and let go.  

My life is about me.  Every minute of every day.  Its not about what my neighbor thinks of me, or if they guy behind me at a red-light thinks I'm a jerk, or whether or not I impressed my coach at the gym.  Its not about what my boyfriend thinks of my butt, or what my coworkers think i look like in neoprene.  My life is about my choices making me happier and healthier every day from now on.  

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 26

Its 10pm and I am fired up!  I know I should be off my computer, winding down before bed.  But the vortex of social media, and my sense of responsibility to this new trendy blogging thing has me sitting at my computer writing this post.  

I heard a terribly selfish and yet amazingly accurate quote today on 'Orange is the New Black.'

"I love being the target of envy.  That means I'm winning."

I know this is supposed to be a deeply personal and individual experience.  And I know it does no good to put stock in other peoples' opinion of you.  BUT doesn't it feels so good to surprise people.  It feels so good to succeed when people expected you to fail.  I take pride in my success.  I did something, while my friends watched from being their glass of pinot/beer/margarita.  And writing about my experience, blogging on this forum, makes me feel accomplished.  Like I did something, and it meant something.  Winning.  

[fitnesswithalice]

Whole30 Day 25

Recovery.  

I never take enough time for recovery.  I don't think anyone really does.  Our coach has incorporated it into our programming recently.  But it’s my responsibility to take it to the next level and take care of myself.  Maximal output all the time.  Thats how I usually run my life.  Its time to slow down and take time for rest and recovery.  While you're sleeping is when most muscle repair happens so I need the right fuel and enough sleep for my muscles to rebuild stronger than ever, every night.  

On another note.  I've been asked recently to make plans for people post Whole30.  For them, this feels a bit like making a plan for a post apocalyptic future.  And that kinda stresses me out too.  Especially since the biggest thing we need to learn is that no one can make a perfect plan for you… except you.  I will continue to mentor them, of course!  But an important lesson I have to start conveying to my people is that they have to take initiative.  Just like they took the initiative to learn about and follow whole30, ultimately they need to create a plan thats right for them.  I'm just a tool, I'm not the boss of you.  I often think it would be so much easier if someone would just tell me exactly what to do, eat, lift, etc.  But the victory would be nearly as worth it, now would it?