Update- Taryn

I'm not keeping up with days anymore, but wanted to just check in.

I "binged" one night and had 4 chocolate chip cookies. Since then I've been keeping pretty strictly with the diet and I've been exercising almost every day. I'm a little sick- not sure what it is maybe strep, but its really weird because I don't feel anything during the day except a little weak. The first day I was feeling sick I stuck to the diet and napped instead of exercising when my girls were asleep. Brady let me sleep in and that seemed to help a lot, because I didn't feel much during the day and decided to go ahead and work out because I didn't want it to throw me too far off- just did it knowing I was sick and didn't push extremely hard or anything. Same today- I just have a bad sore throat and a little congested, but really only bad at night.

Anyway, in the past I would have eaten those cookies and thought that they tasted so good and that dieting was just too hard and I would have reverted back to eating junk all day everyday, but not this time! My personal mantra is "don't give up" so I'm not. I made a mistake but I'm pushing forward. One thing that has helped my mindset too was that I knew I was going to have a night where I would be allowing myself to eat special stuff (the gala). Knowing that made HUGE difference. I was totally able keep strictly to her diet knowing I would get a reward.

With all that said, I am really liking the idea of having one day a week (maybe not even every week) where you can allow yourself some treats. I kept with the diet all day and then just splurged at dinner. I have another special occasion this weekend- Brady's bday, so that is a nice thing in the back of my head that is helping me be totally fine on the diet. It is soon, and it is happening. I resisted the chocolate chip cookies today when my family was eating them without a problem :) 

I keep remembering things- but I didn't even feel guilty at all at the gala because I knew I would be going back to eating healthy. AND that didn't depress me like it used to :) because I know that I will get to have special stuff again. It is all truly a mindset thing for me. I may not loose weight quickly doing it this way, but I think in the long run I will be so much healthier and I truly feel like I have made a lifestyle change.

Day 13 and 14- Taryn

Yesterday was a rough one for me. I have previously been exercising everyday and eating fine, but my house was a huge mess. I also have been needing to color my hair for months and keep putting it off, but with the gala coming up I needed it to for sure be done! You have to have dirty hair too when you color it, so that has been an issue because I want to do it, then I miss doing it and I have to wash my hair and then I have to wait a day or two again. Anyway, during nap time I colored my hair, showered, and cleaned the house instead of exercising. We hadn't made definitive plans to go out that night, but I was hoping that Brady would take a break so we could all go to the pumpkin farm. After the girls woke up I texted him and he said no, so I started making dinner and then all the sudden he changed his mind and said he did want to go! I had just started dinner so it wasn't done- meaning I had nothing to bring with me, but I hurried and got the girls dressed and we rushed off to get him and go.

Bad idea going to somewhere like this without having eaten. I ended up eating a apple cider donut and a few sips of root beer because I was just starving. It was a double bad feeling knowing I also didn't exercise. Also, I'm getting sick :( My throat has been hurting for a few days now. Hoping it just goes away, but it seems to be sticking around which worries me.

I am having some meat issue too. I HATE the taste of leftover chicken so the chicken wraps aren't delicious to me anymore, today I had salad and couldn't even bring myself to put chicken on there so I didn't. I just ate a few extra almonds. As time continues this is definitely getting harder. I wish we had a little more leeway for paleo treats etc.

B: banana pancakes
S: larabar
L: chicken wraps
S: apple w/ sun butter
D: Apple cider donut and root beer


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Day 14

LOVED the turkey burgers! Liv was so excited we were having "hamburgers" for dinner :) Scarlett is our little carnivore and gobbled 2 patties down, but she has loved everything that I've made as far as meat, even the salmon and tuna patties :) She is lucky, she'll have no problems getting lots of protein in her diet when she's older unlike me ;)

B & S: fasting
L: Strawberry/Blueberry salad
S: Larabar
D: turkey burgers w/ sautéed zucc, squash, and onion

Day 11 and 12- Taryn

Day 11

I am definitely loosing a little steam as far as this challenge goes. I told Olivia she could pick one halloween treat from the bakery at walmart because I feel a little bad that my family doesn't get any fun halloween treat-y stuff since this is the season everyone is making and posting delicious things. Anyway, of all the stuff she could have chosen she chose the mini vanilla cupcakes. They are a weakness of mine. They smell SOOoooooo good. When we got home I gave on to her and Scarlett and I just stood and smelled them for awhile, thinking this would satisfy my need, but I gave in and ate one. I am disappointed in myself, and now I have been giving them to Brady and the girls way too much so that they'll be gone and they won't taunt me anymore!

I loved the Med. chicken and sweet potato hash! That will make it in our regular dinner rotation even after the challenge.

Here's some fun stories- Brady told me on Wed. that we have to go to a very formal, black tie, tuxedo type Gala for his school (fundraising). I guess there are doctors from the community who are "hosting" the medical students, so everyone had to be invited by someone, and that person pays for your seat/dinner. Anyway, he tells me its next Friday! My excitement went to frustration that he didn't tell me sooner because how can I find a formal dress?! I usually order things online so I immediately started looking. When I showed him some stuff I found he said none of it was formal enough, plus the dress would get here on the very day of the Gala. And I have never taken both girls to the mall to shop and try stuff on by myself, and Brady has NO free time to watch them for me because he has another big test coming up (two days after the Gala). 

I decided to face my anxiety and go to the mall. I went straight to Nordstrom because I knew they have great customer service. I found a girl and told her what I was looking for and she went around and grabbed dresses for me and got me a huge dressing room so I could have the stroller in there and plenty of room for the kids to run around. I brought snacks for them and a book for scarlett and they were having fun and being quiet. I was having fun trying on fancy dresses (some way out of my price range) until I started to smell something stinky. Of course Scarlett had a poopy diaper. No big deal, I have plenty of room to change it. I grab the diaper and then realize I don't have any wipes because I took them out to use them at home because we were out of the home ones. I used another diaper to wipe her as best I could and got her changed. Poor thing. And now I have the stinkiest smell coming from my diaper bag. I zipped it up and put in the corner so I could get back to the dresses!

Anyway, they were very well behaved and I'm glad to know that I can go to the mall on my own!

B: muffins

S: larabar

L: Tuna patties!

S: apple w/ sun butter

S: mini cupcake

D: Mediterranean chicken w/ sweet potatos

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Day 12

The day has gotten away from me. I ate my muffins, then we went back to the mall because I bought 2 dresses so I could show them to Brady and he could choose, so I had to go back to return one and get some shoes. That took the whole morning and I forgot to take a larabar with me to the mall. When I got home I had quick snack and it was satisfying. I put the girls down for naps and did my workout. Today was the first day I was actually excited to work out! I didn't work out yesterday so maybe that had something to do with it. Olivia ended up not taking a nap and coming out in the middle of my workout, but she is very good and I've told her that I can't help her with anything while I'm exercising, so she just played by herself. For some reason afterwards I didn't eat lunch, I just made lunch for olivia and then came up and tried on my new dress with the shoes, then did my make up and tried some hairstyles....... for an hour. Totally forgot about lunch. Then Scarlett was awake and I had to make her something to eat and thats when I realized I needed lunch too! It was just after 4pm. Anyway, I need to stick to my eating schedule! I'm afraid my body will go into starvation mode and hang on to all the fat (is that a real thing?).

B: muffins

S: pear w/ sun butter

L: med chicken w/ sweet potato hash (leftovers)

S: larabar

D: Chicken salad wrap w/ broccoli

Day 10- taryn

I am starting to notice my clothes fitting differently and I even wore my old true religion jeans, meaning they actually fit and buttoned up and zipped and everything! Still a long ways to go but fun to see some changes.

I tried to eat a little less fruit today, which will probably result in me eating more fruit tomorrow, ha! I didn't love the eggplant brushetta as leftovers. I did love the tuna patties and I even made my own mayo for the alioli (or whatever it is) sauce! Fun to try and it tasted good! The real test will be if Brady will eat it. If I ever see him again I'll make him try it and let you know what he thinks :)

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B: Quiche
S1: paleo muffin
L: eggplant brushetta (leftover)
S2: apple w/ sun butter
S3: almonds
D: tuna patties with sauce

Day 8- Taryn

I made plans and shopping lists last night. I had my quiche for bfast, then dropped Liv off to preschool and me and Scootie drove to Trader Joes for some almond meal! I LOVE TJ's but realized that it is so dangerous! They have sooo many treats and you trick yourself into thinking everything in there is healthy, but its not. It was good that I had a list and that I'm eating clean because I love their treats. I was able to get the almond meal, eggplant, strawberries, blueberries, veggie straws (for the girls), pomegranate seeds, tomatoes, grass fed raw whole chicken, some new varieties of Larabars, and some fresh Fall flowers :)

We picked Liv up from school, then I still had to run to walmart because TJs only sold zucc and squash in packages of 3 and i was nervous to get so many but i need it tonight for the veggie bake. I didn't really want tuna and avocado but I bought a bag of avocado at the beginning of this challenge and I don't want it to go bad, so I had to use it. I actually did like it to my surprise, I just added some things to give me a little variety and because I was really hungry after all those errands.

I filled myself up, put the girls down, and did my workout. It was cardio recovery so no real cardio- a lot of yoga and squats. I felt good! I had so much time after that while the girls were still sleeping, it was weird, but I cleaned and then started making the paleo blueberry muffins to save for bfast this week. And then I got started on dinner.

I couldn't resist eating a muffin so that was my 3rd snack. Dinner was chicken and veggie bake, then I gave everyone a muffin for dessert, but I just watched everyone eat it since I already had one :) And I forgot to eat my chocolate square which was probably for the best since I already ate an extra snack :)

Question: what did you cook your veggies in? I don't want to buy white wine, so I used apple cider vinegar and it was waaaaay over powering. Brady liked it but I could barely handle all that vinegar flavor. If I do it again I might try chicken stock  or something.

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B: quiche
S1: Larabar (apple pie)
L: a little of the leftover broccoli and spaghetti squash, tuna w/ avocado, and 1/4 c cashews
S2: 1 Tbs pomegranate seeds w/ 1 Tbs sunflower butter
S3: paleo blueberry muffin
D: Chicken and veggie bake

Day 7- Taryn

Today was a great day! But not in the eating department. We were all just so relaxed that it was harder today for me in that way.

The family had pancakes so I had banana pancakes. I eat them without syrup or anything and drink a lot of water to make it fill me. I really like them because I'm eating 2 eggs and a banana in a way that is yummy to me. I could never just eat 2 scrambled eggs. I was just feeling lazy and not wanting veggies for a snack at that moment, so I had a larabar uber nut roll. I wonder if that's still on the diet? Its still all natural, kosher, and gluten free but I just wondered because of the different name. My stores only have peanut butter larabars and I wanted something different (im pretty sure you arent supposed to have peanuts at all on paleo). I had tuna and avocado and added some carrot sticks for lunch. Everyone in my family was snacking on semi-sweet chocolate chips all day so that was a little hard but I am proud that I have resisted everything this far. Like carrie said, I wasn't as organized or deliberate in my eating today but it wasn't horrible. I did have 3 chocolate squares which isn't great, but they were good.

I do like that this is a sustainable diet. Even though at times I wish I could just eat bread or have baked goods, I haven't given in which is huge for me, and I think its because there are plenty of healthy fats and sugars from fruit. The protein is keeping me full enough to resist. I think it hinges on me being prepared though. If I don't already have an idea of what to eat then I would probably just give in. Which means I better go plan my next week!!

I hope everyone got to enjoy conference! I really liked the morning session! I had the afternoon session on but didn't hear but a few sentences hear and there. The girls weren't able to listen as well on the second half and Brady was studying so I didn't force it.

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B: Banana pancakes

S1: Larabar- Uber Nut roll

L: Tuna w/ avocado and a few carrot sticks

S2: Peach w/ handful of almonds

D: Bean soup (leftover from yesterday) 3 chocolate squares

Day 6- Taryn

Had a filling breakfast, and then we went to Liv's soccer game! I brought my apple and sunflower butter in a little tupperware. 

Olivia had to go to the bathroom right when we got there so I took Scarlett out of her stroller and carried her and we all walked waaaaaaaaaaay across like 3 fields to the port-a-potty so Liv could go. Luckily I also took my umbrella with me because it started to drizzle enough that I opened it up but didn't think too much of it. As we were walking back I saw that everyone was packing up or already gone! So obviously they cancelled the game. By the time we got alllllll the back to the stroller it was a ghost town and the rain was starting to steadily get harder. 

I got the girls into their seats and pushed while holding the umbrella. Liv kept getting mad because the rain sometimes got on her and she thought it was my fault for not holding the umbrella perfectly over her. There's a little hill and then a curb that we had to go over so I just gave the umbrella to Liv because I needed two hands. I got it up and over, meanwhile now Liv was yelling because she didn't want to hold the umbrella. I got the umbrella back, although now I was already a little wet. We walked allllllll the way to the furthest part of the parking lot which was kind of funny because when we got there, there was not a single open space which is why we parked way out, and now it was completely empty. Anyway we got to our car, and the ONLY other car in the lot was right  next to ours. I got Liv in the car- she was still fussing because her clothes were a little wet so I just told her to get in and take off her clothes. Then I was trying to get scarlett out with one hand because I had the umbrella in the other. She was squirming and fussing, so I just dropped the umbrella and got her in the car. Then I had to empty the under part of the stroller before collapsing it and getting it into the car. Then I had to squish between the other car (for some reason the lady was just sitting there in the parking lot alone) and my car to get in. I was soaked! It was raining so hard. I had the windshield wipers on full blast and still could barely see in front of me.

Anyway, I had promised Liv that we would get an ice cream cone from mcdonalds after her soccer game, so we went to the drive through and I just got happy meals for the girls because I was done and wanted to come home and not think about what to feed them. I ate my apple snack on the way home which was good so that I didn't eat the fries that were sitting right next to me!

They ate their food and it was hard for me not to have just one fry, but I stayed strong and didnt give in! When they were done I packed it all away so that I wouldnt be tempted to eat it, which is what I always did in the past. We listened to the end of conference (Elder Uchtdorf) and that was a really nice little pick me up.

I had the last of my salmon and veggies to get me fueled for my workout, put the girls down for naps, and did my pure cardio workout. I felt great! I still can't get through this one without stopping a here and there, but I did better than last time so that feels good. I feel like I am getting stronger!

I added another snack- a Larabar. We went to walmart and I was just feeling really hungry. I didn't eat dinner til 7:30 (which is late for us), anyway I probably could have not had an extra snack if we had eaten earlier. Maybe tomorrow. And I had one square of Godiva dark chocolate! It was fabulous!

B: Quiche

S1: Apple w/ sunflower butter

L: 1/3 salmon w/ zucc/squash (the last of it)

S2: Peach w/ handful of almonds
S3: Larabar- Uber

D: Bean soup and a square of dark chocolate

Day 5- taryn

The Banana pancakes are delicious! So sweet! They weren't quite as filling for me as the quiche but a fun change! Since I had fruit for bfast I had carrots for a snack. I just brought a baggie of carrots sticks with me to the grocery store and munched on the them while I shopped. I thought it was funny that Scarlett, Liv, and I all had little baggies of "snacks" while walking through the aisles :)

I decided I wanted to try to eat a little more today to see how it would affect my workout, so I had a protein shake before my exercise. It was a success! I felt totally fueled and had a great workout. I had a small helping of salmon and veggies (leftover dinner from the night before) after the w/o to refuel and that was good because it kept me from getting ravenously hungry. I knew we were going to a parade in our little downtown (Brownsburg) with some friends so I had a Larabar just before we went so that I wouldn't be tempted to have any candy that was being thrown in my direction. Proud to say I refused all the candy! And had a yummy dinner! Brady even liked it!

B: Banana Pancakes
S1: carrots
S2: Protein shake
L: 1/3 of a serving of salmon and baked zucc/squash
S3: Larabar
D: Spaghetti squash, chicken, broccoli

Day 4- Taryn

I am doing so much better today! It helps that we don't have anything scheduled today. Not very much fun for my kids that we're just home all day, but I need it sometimes.

I drank my water, did push ups, and then ate my breakfast. Still very yummy and flavorful, but I think I will try something different for breakfast tomorrow. I'm just ready for something new. The good thing about the quiches is that they really fill me up. SO much that I didnt even have my snack til about 30 mins before exercising which was perfect. I felt fueled for the exercise.

I was so happy to workout this morning, I did loose a little energy near the end, so I still think I need to actually eat my snack and half of lunch before working out (if I'm exercising in the middle of the day). I ate lunch immediately after and that felt really good.

I am feeling very productive today too! Took a shower, got caught up on laundry (the bane of my existence), and keeping the house semi-clean. Maybe I will take the girls to the grocery store for a fun outing! ;)

ps- where or what kind/brand of dark chocolate are you guys getting?

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I want to keep a sort of food diary for myself for the future when I forget how to eat healthy, so this is more for me.

B: Quiche
S1: Pear w/ 2T sunflower seed butter
L: Chicken salad wrap
S2: peach w/ handful of almonds
D: Salmon w/ baked zucchini and squash

FYI: I'm not keeping completely with her food, just making sure that my snacks are whole foods and healthy. I never researched what EXACTLY is included in the paleo diet, but as I mentioned in the beginning, I am more hoping to just learn to make healthier choices when it comes to food.

Day 3- Taryn

I'll start off with the negative- I didn't work out at all today. I am disappointed about that but all I can do is not get too down on myself. Tomorrow is a new day and I will try again!

I needed to go grocery shopping and planned to while Liv was at preschool. I went to drop her off only to have my sweet friend greet me in her pajamas and messy hair to tell me that she was sick with the flu. She left me a message on my phone letting me know that preschool was at my other friends house (only I don't have a phone which I think people forget because its been waaaay too long and normal people would have just gotten a new one by now- we're holding out for a free one). Embarrassed, I hurried Liv back in the car and drove back past my own house over to my other friends house on the complete other side of town. We were a full half hour late, but I was able to go grocery shopping.

I did laundry for the 45 mins that I was home with Scarlett, then time to pick Liv up. I put both girls down for a nap and instead of working out I had to clean the house because we had a (i dont know what you call it) check up today with the builder to see any last items that need to be fixed. Anyway, there was a lot to do upstairs and I figured Id do that and then Brady could help me sweep and pick up downstairs when he got home.

He didn't get home because he forgot and the builder came! I was, yet again, embarrassed that the kitchen needed to be swept while I was trying to show him where 2 squeaky boards were and remember all the things Brady and I had talked about wanting them to fix. Brady got home for the tail end of the "meeting". When the builder left, we hurried and cleaned downstairs because we had a date and real babysitters coming to our house to watch the girls. Then I ran upstairs to throw some clothes and make-up on and we were out.

You don't need to know any of that I dont know why I wrote it all. I stuck to the meal plans and I did add an extra snack even though I didn't work out. Our date was a murder mystery dinner... I ate a salad, chicken, asparagus and didn't eat the potatoes. I did have a bite of cupcake.

It was an okay day, but I wished I worked out to justify the extra snack and cupcake. I have the worlds worst willpower! I realllllly want to wake up and workout before the kids get up because I did that last summer and it worked so well for me. Hoping to start with early morning work outs on Friday. That way nothing will get in the way!!

B- Quiche
S1- celery w/ 2T sunflower seed butter and a Larabar
L- Chicken salad wrap
S2- apple w/ sunflower seed butter
D- Out to eat (chicken w/ asparagus and a naughty half of cupcake)

Day 2- Taryn

I am doing way better today than yesterday. I have easily drunk (?) the water and enjoyed all the tasty food today....however it is 3:30 and I'm really getting hungry already.

This is the hardest time of day for me because I am very snacky, and I just had my snack. I think tomorrow I might try to not have a snack between b-fast and lunch and save it so I can have 2 snacks right now.

I just did my workout, I do the insanity workouts, and it happened to be pure cardio which is one of the most intense workouts. I didn't have a ton of energy. I put Olivia down for a nap (scarlett was already asleep) and I wanted to just go to sleep on Liv's bed. I actually closed my eyes and Olivia said "No mama, go to your own bed. Actually you are going to do exercising, haha." Good thing I told her that so she could be my encouragement :) I had to stop several times and jump back in.

Anyway, I am going to tough it out! I guess I'll just try to stay busy and keep my mind off of food.

One positive thing I am noticing today is that my kids are eating way healthier since I am. Scarlett ate some sunflower butter and an apple slice for a snack and had lots of steamed broccoli with her macaroni at lunch (the broccoli was leftover from the breakfast I made. I had extra so I just steamed it). Olivia had a bite of an apple and a bit of broccoli, which is good for her. It makes me feel good to have healthy things to offer my kids. I have been worried about Olivia with her mood swings and as I've prayed and thought about it, I have realized that her diet is awful and am hoping that getting less processed food in her will help. Teaching my kids to eat healthy starts with me!

B- Quiche
S1- apple w/ 2 T sunflower seed butter
L- tuna mixed w/ avocado
S2- larabar
D- grilled chicken w/ spinach, onion, and mushroom (this one was not very yummy to me)