Primal Journal (School Of Grok) page

[SchoolOfGrok]

And so it begins... again. I have dabbled in Primal/paleo for a couple years now. When I stick to it (at least 80%), I feel great. I go to the gym. I sleep better. I get up earlier. I enjoy it.

So why... WHY... do I fall into old habits of eating heavy carbs, drinking beer instead of red wine, snacking, finding room for dessert, etc., if I KNOW it makes me look and feel crappy? It stops today... again. Make it stick this time.

Today is day 1. Anyone who wants to join me.... come along. More later.

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 1 in the books. 1 of 365 day experiment... charting measurable stats like weight, body fat %, etc. similar to this: 384 Days of Primal: Focusing on the Process to See Results | Mark's Daily Apple

50 minute walk (about 2.5 miles)

Black coffee

smoothie (spinach, berries, pineapple, almond milk, protein powder)

3 slices of roast beef, chicken meatballs

Low on food after a high-calorie weekend, so wasn't that hungry. Starting weight at 242 lbs. (but it's not about weight!!!)

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 2/365

Planned to lift at gym in the morning, but didn't have time. Instead, 35 minute walk.

black coffee, 3 eggs, bacon (12:30)

6 slices of roast beef, 2 chicken burgers, chicken meatballs, apple (6:30)

staying the course

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 3/365

236.2 lbs

Black coffee, 3 eggs, bacon

Salad at chipotle with carnitas, guac, cheese, salsa, Tabasco... NO dressing

Rosemary/balsamic/olive oil glazed chicken breast, sweet potato, asparagus

3 glasses of red

Also a gym session... Lifted (legs/back/biceps)

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 4/365

235

Black coffee

Smoothie (spinach, protein, banana, almond butter, almond milk)

Leftover chicken (1 1/2 chicken breasts), sweet potato, apple

Apple w/ almond butter

[Annieh]

Starting to feel good? Keep up the good work SchoolOfGrok.

[SchoolOfGrok]

Thank you Annieh... definitely starting to feel good again (as I knew I would).

No cravings yet for anything other than primal foods. My #1 thing that derails me is good craft beer... MMMM. But it's definitely the gateway drug that leads to all the pub food habits, which I am determined to avoid... and am doing very well with so far. (Red wine for the win!)

Here's today:

Day 5/365 (232.2 lbs.)

black coffee, scrambled eggs with bacon, blue cheese

smoothie (Protein, spinach, almond milk, berries, pineapple)

chicken meatballs, 2 sweet potatoes, apple

12 oz can of Coke Zero (primal fail)

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 6/365

1st bad day of the year-long experiment. I'm not one for excuses, but this is going to happen from time to time. Know it, embrace it, don't let it shake the commitment to the long-term goal. Family party at my house yesterday for a birthday.

Smoothie (spinach, protein, banana, almond butter, almond milk)

celery with roasted red pepper dip (completely primal and delicious)
few glasses of red wine
a margarita (as primal as possible with tequila, fresh lime juice... no sugary store mix)

Now the bad part:
a few pita chips with the red pepper dip
a few pieces of frozen pizza
a piece of birthday cake
some beers out at the bar at night

The good: stuck to red wine for most of the day, which I usually go all heavy beer on days like this. Held back a lot instead of mindlessly shoving whatever into my mouth on a "cheat day" Took some liberties, but never lost thought of the primal goal and decided with a clear mind to eat, enjoy, but not go overboard. Ate by far the most celery of anyone at the party haha

The bad: Wanted to have a better effort overall on avoiding things like chips, pizza, beer, etc. Did not plan well enough to have other primal options other than celery/dip. If there were more main course options other than the frozen pizza, probably would have had more success on the day.

Weight was at 242 this morning, but not a big deal. I know it will be right back to where I was as long as I make this an isolated incident. Making sure to keep posting here to keep myself honest. The old me would chalk up the entire weekend as a "cheat" and eat/drink whatever today as well. Back to being focused on primal and will try better next time to limit the non-primal blah foods at parties.

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 7/365

Overall, some things to be proud of, but spoiled with late night Chinese food.

Only food throughout the day was an omelette with chicken, feta cheese and avocado. Few cups of black coffee.

At night, went to a party.. Had a few glasses of red and no beer. At the concert, stuck with red wine while I would ALWAYS used to drink a lot of beer. That was a minor miracle.

Again, Chinese food late night, but overall I think I survived the weekend pretty well. My schedule changes this week and I will be working more weekends, which has me excited because it will be way easier to stick to the plan.

[SchoolOfGrok]

Day 8/365

Back on it today after a shaky weekend. Didn't weigh in

Black coffee, eggs, bacon for breakfast

Big spinach salad for dinner.

Gotta get back in the gym