Paleo update

I have been thinking about what I would write for this post all month now. I wasn't rehearsing what I might say, but was excited to know what information I would have to report. I challenged myself at the beginning of the year to eat Paleo for 90 days. I first heard of Paleo from my first Colorado trainer, Matt. Matt was awesome at kicking my butt, but eventually he left to start his own Crossfit gym. It is a little out of the way for me to go to, so I stick to Bally's but I did make it over for a few grueling Crossfit workouts. During one of our sessions Matt told me about a book called The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf. I blew him off, I had my own plan. He persisted for a little while, but I was headstrong on my own ways.

Fast forward to fall of 2010. I was down 40 pounds for the year but struggling to get weight off around my midsection. 40 pounds was only one pant size. I was frustrated, tried changing up my diet, even trained for and ran a half marathon and the tummy wouldn't budge. Meanwhile one of my favorite clients, Laurie, started dating a guy named Steve who is a competitive Crossfitter. He runs a blog, stevepaleo.blogspot.com, so I set to check out her now hottie boyfriend. You should check him out too, he's nearly 50 and FIT. But oh, that darn Paleo again! She started eating this way and raved about the delicious food. Then there was my client Maria. The first time I did her hair, she had just come from a Crossfit workout. We chatted about Crossfit and then she asked me if I ate "Paleo." I got a little curious and asked her a few questions. It's a higher fat diet, it eliminates grains and dairy, and really anything that's processed. During one visit I asked her what her doctor had to say and she informed me that she is a doctor herself! 3 against 1, I toyed with the idea until Maria told me straight about a patient that was prediabetic, held weight around her middle, and the prescription Maria gave her was to read and live The Paleo Solution. Her next visit she was no longer in the diabetes danger zone, and while she hadn't really lost weight, she was down 4 dress sizes! I was sold, and bought the book that day.

I read the book, took in way too much information, but figured out what I needed to do to adapt the lifestyle. Robb informs you that it is good to know why you're doing it, but to give it at least 30 days and see how you feel. I was up for the challenge and decided that I would shoot for 3 full months. I was nervous about my ravenous sugar cravings, my love for cottage cheese, and my obsession with baking. So I baked myself silly, ate 38445 pieces of fudge at Christmas, and got rid of anything in my cupboards that might tempt me. So here we are, the very end of January. I did everything Robb told me to do. I even delved into reading Paleo for Athletes so I could learn how to boost my athletic performance.

Things I hate about diets: I am hungry, grumpy, moody, frustrated, CRAVE sugar (mostly cake for some weird reason), tired, upset, feel overwhelmed, and am looking for any excuse to call it a fail and get out of it.

Things I LOVE about the Paleo lifestyle: I am never hungry, everything is delicious, I have TONS of energy, I run faster, I recover faster, my skin is glowing, my eyes are whiter, I sleep better, and most of all- I dropped an entire size. My clothes are literally falling off of me.


Eating Paleo is THE EASIEST thing I have ever done. I never knew that I could feel so free from food. Although the diet is pretty restrictive (Fruits, vegetables, protein, nuts), I love that I can go to the produce section and pick out anything I want. I am learning new ways to cook, trying new vegetables, and learning that everything tastes better when you don't dull your taste buds with processed garbage. It takes a little more planning and preparation and even costs a little bit more money, but it is worth every minute and every penny. I am so excited to continue to eat Paleo, and know that it will help me DOMINATE my marathon in May!

Leaps and Bounds

I have dedicated 2011 to be a better version on myself. Something I've realized is that even though I can make the decision to be better, I also have to make some changes. Last weekend I made some pretty deep realizations about myself. Sometimes getting into that deep dark stuff that lies beneath is not very fun. I hate feeling vulnerable, and exposing all that crud (even to myself), was exactly what I made myself do. So I reached down deep and figured out where I needed to make some changes. Big change/accomplishment number one, I took my nose ring out. For good. Because I am choosing to be as obedient as I darn well possibly can.

Big change number two, I am no longer eating my feelings. Happy/sad/bored/excited/deserving/lonely/afraid/empowered.. just a few of the reasons I normally eat. I will update on how the Paleo is going after I've completed my first month. But I for once feel in control of food, instead of feeling like it controls me. Last week I dug out a pair of dusty skinny jeans in a size 10 that I over ambitiously purchased over the summer. They zip, they button, and I can still breathe.

And last but not least, I got a promotion at work. I have moved up to Element 3! This means that I am busy enough that I get to raise my prices. For existing clients, each service goes up $5. For new clients, each service goes up $10. This should help me have a busier schedule, and make more money. I've been working towards this for awhile now, so I couldn't be more excited!

I'll expound more on this with my Paleo post, but I have to tell you that this week I finally felt like a runner. Yes, after 4 races, countless miles (I'm counting them this year), 8 pairs of $100+ shoes, and 8 million ipod playlists, I feel like I can call myself a runner. I finished week 2/17 on my marathon training today by wrapping up my week with a 7 mile run. 7 miles in just under 65 minutes, and I didn't even try to make any excuses in my head of why I should stop. Woo!

Enjoying Wednesdays

“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” Souza


I think most people look forward to weekends. Relaxing, time with family or friends, sleeping in, movies, concerts, etc. For me, I love Saturdays. Although it's a day packed full of work, it usually leads to getting dressed up, letting loose with friends, and no curfew. Sundays I get to recover, go to church, be pretty lazy, and get to bed early to face a grueling new week. Until now.

Monday I started my marathon training. 17 weeks of running 3 weekdays and a long run on Saturdays after work. There's plenty of other cardio, strength training, and yoga in there too. No more staying out late with friends, after work trips to Hacienda, or skimping on sleep. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, realizing that I am sacrificing my social life to work towards a goal. I realize that I will be missing out on birthday celebrations, dating, and eating out. And I think I'm okay with that. In the past when I have "gone on a diet," I couldn't wait for it to end. I'd count down the days til the weekend, til the end of the month, or whenever my release from food hell would be. But in this last year I have adapted healthy habits and enjoy eating a clean diet. I also really enjoy running most of the time. The rush of accomplishing something that I would have once thought impossible is worth the achy joints and nights staying in. While some days seem to drag, or be stressful, they are all part of my life. I can wish for the weekend, or May 15th, or summer... but all while I am wishing I am going to skip over enjoying the little accomplishments.

karat2.011

I am fortunate to work in a career that I am passionate about with an amazing group of women. While I am able to pick what I do, and where I choose to work, I don't always to get to choose who I work on. There's the clients who are always late, the ones who cancel two minutes after their appointment was supposed to start, have gobs of unruly hair, still style their hair like they're in the 80's no matter what I do to it, the ones that make unreasonable requests (while I can make your hair look like Jessica Biel's, the body and face are not included), or the ones that downright just aren't people I would normally choose to spend time with. Luckily, the good ones far outweigh the bad. I have found an overwhelming amount of support and encouragement from many of my clients. My experiences with these clients remind me why I do what I do.

Last week, one specific client came in with a brilliant idea. I'm not talking a picture of Scarlet Jo's new bob, or a fiery new color, but an idea that I have been thinking about since she was in. As we were talking about the new year and our new years resolution, she explained that she was going to become a new and improved, or 2.0, version of herself. Not different, not so far out of her element, but give 110% and get the most out of everything she does. I loved the concept and have been thinking of ways to create kara t 2.011 in 2011.

I love New Years Resolutions. Don't you? I am the master of goal setting/goal accomplishing. It could be my stubborn nature, or my ridiculous strong will, but while I don't consider myself competitive- I love a good challenge if it is against myself. I try to put myself out of my element every day, always progressing, evolving, improving, and learning. I love that the quote that says, "Life isn't about finding yourself, but creating yourself."

In 2011, I hope to create a better Kara T. I refuse to declare anything as "the best ever," but always as "the best yet." 2010 for me was a revolutionary year. Because of the hard work I put in, I was able to accomplish goals that even five years ago seemed completely out of reach. As I have entered this year I know that I am a stronger, more confident person and ready to tackle a lot of different areas of my life.

In 2011, I want to do things I have never done before. So far I have gone to my first Avalanche game and tried hot yoga (loved it). Not bad for two weeks in. I am also hoping to go to Europe, or at least travel somewhere I have never been. Of course my my biggest challenge is to run the marathon in May. If you could do something new this year, what would it be?

While I tend to be extremely OCD in some areas of my life, I am pretty messy. I like a clean kitchen. I don't really leave a whole lot out around the apartment, but during the week I tend to collect piles of clothes and "stuff" around my room leaving me a weekend of cleaning. I have realized that the biggest problem is that I have too much stuff. I house sat for one of my clients a few months ago, and was impressed with how immaculate her house was. I observed it was because they had no clutter, because there was nothing to be clutter. Not only do I was to get organized, I want to simplify my life. I feel like if I can let go of a lot of my "stuff," I can learn that to live with fewer "things." Until I have a house of my own, I don't really have use for a lot of the things that tend to collect in my closet.

In addition: I want to improve some relationships I have with friends, be a better listener, eat cleaner (so far, so good), grow spiritually, update my blog more often, broaden my social activities, be more on time for social activities, keep up on the yoga and stretching, read(books) more often, attend more sporting events, see more of Colorado, and learn not to let little things get to me. It is fun to think of where I will be at this time next year.

Did anyone else make resolutions?