slow and steady

It’s a new year. Again. Does anyone else feel like they should stay the same age this year’s birthday? Can I turn 26 again in 2021? 2020 was a limbo year. When 2021 hit, like most others, I set some new year intentions. Also like most others, one of those intentions is to lose some weight and gain some strength. Ground-breaking, right? This time felt and is different though. I didn’t set a date that revolved around me being in a swim suit. I didn’t start January off with a Whole30 or cut out sugar, although I almost started a Whole30. So what’s changed? Why is this time different? Why is this year, really the year I get healthier again?

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day thirty-one | thoughts on whole thirty

Day 31.  31!!!  I did it!  We did it!  If you just completed your January Whole30, congratulations!  If you are still on a Whole30 (like my best friend), keep after it!  It’s worth it.  In this post I’ll dive into all the things I accomplished, my experiences, my plans for now, etc.  

hello goodnight sleep | day two

Happy day two of the Whole 30!  Holy sleep cycles!  This is my biggest non-scale victory so far, and it’s only day two.  Last night, I got the best night of sleep I have had since coming home for the holidays.  To be honest, I cannot recall the last time I got NINE hours of sleep–that’s right, nine!  I even went into “deep” sleep for the longest time since getting my Fitbit for Christmas.  

new year the whole30 way | day one

I am doing the January Whole30 reset.  Two years ago, I did a Paleo Challenge that sort of morphed into a Whole30.  I didn’t do my research.  I was new to it all.  I begun with paleo and as I did more research, I stumbled upon the Whole30 and began following the program then.  I slipped a few times, I cut it a day short, I didn’t scrutinize labels… It wasn’t really a Whole30 at all, which brings me to now.

yoga for athletes

Athletes are focused.  Athletes are dedicated.  Athletes are ambitious.  Athletes are intense.  We do what it takes to train, practice, condition, work hard, fine-tune and push our limits to be the fittest and perform 110% at our sport.  My chosen sport: CrossFit, the “sport of fitness” as it is known by the global CrossFit community.

CrossFit is defined

breaking news: my oats are back

My oats are back and I couldn’t be happier!  Exaggeration?  Yeah, right.  Well, first off, I was very indecisive this morning, so I took my dilemma to snapchat {@emvalerioti}, “Oats or Eggs for my b-fast?”  The polls came rolling in and you all said oats!  I probably would have made oats anyway.  Does anyone else do this?  You think you are indecisive on something, then ask around or flip a coin and you are unhappy with the result and go the other direction?  I do this constantly.  Eh, that’s okay because it brings me to a decision doesn’t it?  Anyway… this morning I made an old staple: Apples & Cinnamon Oats.

day twenty-seven, -eight & -nine | fueled up

Happy Friday everyone!  Boy, was it a good great week!  The final week of my Whole30 and I honestly feel on top of the world.  My food has been in control.  I have learned what works for me.  I have my “sugar dragon” under control.  It is pretty amazing, but I will go into further detail in my final Whole30 summary post this weekend—so stay tuned.  As for this week, I’m focusing on my meals, workouts, and recovery sessions.

day twenty-six | foodie flow

Just four more days!  Four.  That’s it!  I keep saying that this whole Whole30/Paleo thing is just natural to me now.  I guess that’s why it’s more of a lifestyle than a diet.  It just flows well, I have never been hungry, my sleep has improved drastically, my energy levels (did I also mention that this month I cut coffee???)…

day seventeen | inner strength

Strength has always been something of value to me.  Strength of the body was always a given, it wasn’t until last year that I really was able to develop strength of the mind.  I have such an appreciation for a strong mind.  It has surely improved my life—in every aspect there is.  The Whole30 definitely challenges and strengthens the mind.  Day seventeen and I feel so powerful and finally in control of my food choices and eating habits.  

day sixteen | reignited

Happy Saturday!  It was a great day of training and getting back on track with my meals.  After one hiccup today while training (eat protein before squatting people—not just a green smoothie), I got back to the grind and successfully rounded out my first week on my new program.  Whoop!  Plus, after a some inspiring words from the Whole30‘s Stephanie, I   managed to control my snacking and cravings more today than I have been.