Day 1 of 30

There is so much to say in ones introductory post. So much, in fact, that I don’t think I can actually lay it all out in one deep exhalation…but I’ll see how far I get.

I am a 5’9” 25 year old woman whose biggest vice has always been food. I was obese. Childhood through early twenties (save for a couple of years in my late teens when I struggled with an eating disorder) was spent being miserable in my stretched out skin. I felt ugly, I had no energy, I had no self esteem, and worst of all..I had no drive to change.

At my heaviest I was in the 250s; I was about 15 at this time. Needless to say my adolescence was an absolute nightmare. Growing up in Los Angeles I was surrounded by unachievable standards. I was the fat girl…the doormat with a sense of humor. Things were terrible at home and I couldn’t seem to overcome my struggles. Food was my security blanket and my cage.

This continued until 3 years ago this coming March (all but the doormat part - I became sharp of tongue rather quickly). I remember the day I knew it all had to change. I was 197 lbs - just teetering on 200 - I felt horrible about myself. I went to REI to get some new cross trainers and left with a great pair of Merrells along with suggestion for a hiking trail. I had always enjoyed hiking (or what I had considered hiking up to that point) and figured I would give it a go. I remember driving to the location, getting out of the car, and starting along the path. I thought to myself “this isn’t so bad”..then I saw the bulk ahead. This trail wanders up along side a beautiful range of waterfalls but the view comes at a price - a seemingly endless climb of very steep stairs and slick mountainside. I started my way up and became winded very quickly. I took a multitude of “scenery breaks”..and then I noticed something. People were bounding up this path…and several of them were easily in their 60s/early 70s. Arthur De Vany is 72 and he is a total benchmark. I am by no means trying to be disrespectful - there are some amazingly fit people in that age group. It was being struck with the reality that I was in my 20s and being left in the dust of my elders that left me feeling completely deflated. I went out the following day and got a gym membership, completely changed my eating habits, and within 5 months dropped down to 157 lbs. 40 lbs lighter I had a new confidence. I finally fit into clothing at just about anywhere I went into. The positive attention was overwhelming. This was a new me…a new reality.

Life happened and my diet and strict training deteriorated quite a bit, yet somehow I managed to continue losing weight. Today I weigh 149 lbs and I am getting back on track. I want to be fit, healthy, and most of all happy. I have decided to take on Whole9s Whole30 challenge and today is day 1. No dairy, no grains/pseudo grains, no legumes, no sugar (save for a reasonable amount of fruit)…only good lean proteins, good fats, vegetables, limited fruit and nuts, and of course...plenty of water, exercise, and sleep.

I’m excited to reset my body and finally achieve my health goals.

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Breakfast: roasted root vegetables (turnips, parsnips, rutabega, onion, sage, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil, and a bit of sea salt), swiss chard, ground white turkey, and 1 omega 3 egg all cooked in coconut oil on the cast iron.

Lunch: salad (mesclun greens, beets, carrot, red cabbage, hijiki, cucumber, red onion, roasted garlic, avocado, ground white turkey, red bell pepper, sunflower oil and lemon juice based dressing)

Snack: korean pear

Dinner: chicken breast cooked in olive and coconut oil with a squeeze of lemon, guacamole, salsa, and jicama