Mmmh, bacon… from 9GAG by 9GAG Reader (9g.re)

noartificialflavas:

The babes and I did a team WOD together at my box in simi this weekend. It was Aaron’s first time doing tire flips and drags.

The team was a group of three and we couldn’t go onto the next exercise without being tagged by your team member. Everyone had to join in on the tire flip and drag.

It was def a good Sunday work out and I love having the babes as my team partner!

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I’ve been wanting to do this pose with aaron for awhile. We called it the OHSK - overhead squat kiss.

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7:30 class after we blew our WOD @crossfitriot #crossfit #getsome (Taken with instagram)

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#lovethiswoman #happyanni @cisidro18 - 3 years of crazy love and we’re still going strong #loveofmylife (Taken with instagram)

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Kinda still able to crack smile after today’s WOD @crossfitriot #buckfurpees #crossfit #wod (Taken with instagram)

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Posting this picture makes me extremely proud.

The thirty days on the whole thirty were definitely challenging and worthwhile. I already started to gear myself up for the challenge by going paleo a month before it, but not completely strict. I thought to myself that it would definitely help so I didnt have to have sugar and carb withdrawals.

The first seven days were all about preparing for the challenge. We went to the grocery store really not knowing what we were going to cook so we just bought a whole bunch of meat and veggies and decided to go from there. There were pros and cons to this. First, we bought food not knowing what we were really going to use it for. However, I didnt want to waste any of it so we needed to find recipes that coincided with what we had. I learned in this first week that it was really important to prepare for the week and really be knowledgeable about what you want to eat. Snacks were essential so nuts and fruits were always on the grocery list. We knew that these would not go to waste. Once you mentally note all the recipes or cravings you are going to have for the week, it made it a lot easier to go to the grocery store instead of running around buying everything, hoping it’s paleo, and looking like a chicken with your head cut off.

Also, I wanted to mention the grocery stores we went to. I used to hate on whole foods because I thought it was too pricey. However, I love whole foods now because for the paleo challenge they have everything that I needed. I never used coconut aminos, ghee, coconut oil, and a lot of other ingredients that are staples in the whole30. These ingredients are extremely hard to find at regular grocery stores so whole foods became my go to. It also became my go to if I didnt pack a lunch. A lot of their hot meals were whole30 approved. After purchasing the basic ingredients for paleo, it was easy to go to the grocery store and just buy the veggies or meat I needed for the week.

Another great place that Aaron and I think is a lot cheaper is Sprouts. Aaron doesnt have a whole foods in his area but Sprouts was just as great and more affordable. I loved going there and asking about an unknown ingredient, and knowing that the people that worked there knew exactly where I could find it.

After the first week, the second week became the hardest for me. Mentally, I was just craving sweets. I rarely ever crave sweets but gosh darn it I wanted a red velvet cupcake from sprinkles. I think it was just knowing that I was restricted from having something, that made me want it more. Ya know, like telling a kid not to press a button. It’s like come on! They are going to want to press it even more. I dont know if I would have given up if I wasnt doing it with Aaron and Ziggy. I thought of them and I knew it wouldnt be fair if I had a dessert and basically quit the challenge after seven days. I’m not a quitter and I never want to let anyone down so the cravings though difficult were not fulfilled with succulent cupcakes instead I turned to the natural sweetness of fruits.

Halfway through, it seemed like it was more of a breeze. Someone told me that when you are midway through a change of habit in your life, it becomes easier. I really believe that now. I was used to the preparation of meals and definitely knew what I was and wasnt allowed to eat. Grocery shopping was simpler and I had already piled up a book of recipes that I was excited to tell Aaron about and have him try. He became my test eater in this whole thing.

This challenge has definitely helped with my cooking skills. I would just think of something I was craving, look up a paleo recipe for it and try it. Not everything was great but some of the stuff was just delicious. In the beginning, I was worried that everything lacked a finishing fulfilling taste. Towards the middle of the challenge I found stuff that really worked. Among my favorite recipes were the carnitas, pecan and bacon apples, and chorizo hash. These are things I am definitely going to keep on cooking in the future. I also cant wait to try all the recipes I compiled in my book.

At the end of the challenge, I feel good. I wasn’t tired at all during the whole30. Instead, I felt a lot more energized. I can tell you that I am super addicted to staying fit and healthy now. Going through all this has only confirmed that my body is a temple and I need to take care of it because it is the only one I’m going to have. I’m happy I’m all natural and nothing is artificial. I didnt weigh myself before the challenge but I went to my physical this year and last year I was 116lbs and this year I’m 108lbs. For me thats a lot because I’m already petite so every lb counts. I love the way I look and feel in clothes and I’m just more comfortable with my body. All in all, I am happy with the results and the consciousness that I know have when it comes to what is good for my health.

So people ask if I’ll continue on this paleo journey. I would have to say yes and no. Yes, in that I am going to continue eating healthy and give myself some cheat days. Everything in moderation is key. I enjoy life through working out and eating healthy, but life is also enjoyed with a good carbohydrate meal and wine sometimes too. I cant exactly avoid that I do love those things occasionally. I think I’m just taking a more realistic approach for myself. I have also worked too damn hard to stay in shape that I am definitely not going to waste all that hard work and effort. Plus, eating this way and working out four times a week has become a routine/habit now. Just like there are certain staples when it comes to ingredients for the whole30 challenge, the paleo lifestyle and crossfit have become staples in my life. 

The journey continues from here on out.

I thank Aaron and Ziggy for going through this challenge with me and I’m proud of our whole team. I would recommend this to anyone. For me, completing the whole30, becoming a regular cross fitter, and now being a part of the cross fit games has changed my life. I only hope to continue making goals for a better quality of life and making sure I complete them.

noartificialflavas:

healthyhappymommy:

weighright:

workingforweightloss:

March 2012 Sit Ups Challenge~

Will definitely do this! 

Doing!

Claire and I are starting this today … after I do the 12.1 Crossfit Games WOD and Claire tries to beat her last score of 74.  Our scores won’t count for anything, but it’ll be fun to do =)

noartificialflavas:

First breakfast meal after the #whole30 challenge. Organic oats with organic granola … Gonna continue to eat healthy and clean :-]

noartificialflavas:

Hey guys,

I joined the Crossfit games and at first I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to be the last person on the board. However, everyone at my box said it would be a great experience. I love the people at my box. They are like another family to me. Together, Cathy, the woman that owns the box with her husband, and I signed up.

I was really surprised at my results. I ended up doing 74 burpees in 7 min. All I was thinking during the whole work out was that I really needed to pace myself and control my breathing. Controlling your breaths is really essential to all these work outs. I went at a steady pace and for me, I think I really did a nice job at hustlin out those burpees.

I was already surprised with myself on the first WOD. Can’t wait to see how the remaining weeks go.

Way to go @cbear18!

I’m planning to do this WOD tomorrow even though it’s not gonna count towards anything because I’m not registered for the Crossfit Games.  It’ll be a great way to keep track of where I stand in the Crossfit Community

noartificialflavas:

Whole30 Challenge Complete - Aaron’s Insight

The day is finally here … Claire, my roommate Ziggy, and I finished the Whole30 Challenge!

http://whole9life.com/category/whole-30/

It wasn’t easy - It was definitely fun - and I feel stronger and healthier for doing it.  Claire was the awesome at finding Whole30 approved recipes and was able to find a bunch that we’ll continue to cook as we continue to eat clean.  I can’t believe that there are so many great recipes out there and the support from fellow paleo fanatics is fantastic! I ended up losing 12 lbs., felt more rested after a night’s sleep, and I was still able to PR a lot of my lifts and WOD’s during the challenge.

Many people ask me if I plan on going back to eating whatever I want and that’s entirely not the case.  I’m not gonna lie, I felt really restricted when we were doing the Whole30 Challenge and I still have cravings.  Especially for sweets and carbs!  Instead of completely cutting them out of my life, I’m going to have 1 or 2 cheat days a month to curb my cravings.  Fact is that I’ve come so far and feel so good after eating clean for 30 days that I don’t want to lose any of the progress I’ve made.  I’m probably not going to be 100% paleo, but I do plan on staying clean and eating gluten free meals.  Even the first meal I had today was some organic oats w/ granola - no added sugar or sweetener.  Def was satisfying to have some grains =)

My outlook on the Whole30 Challenge is that it has plenty of benefits and if you try it and keep to it, you will see some results.  I’ll post an updated before and after pic as soon as I get a chance.

Crossfit + Whole30 = A great way to live a healthy fit life 

*EAT CLEAN TO STAY LEAN!*