Paleo challenge: Some words of encouragement for the half way point.
It is nearing the end of January and we are now 2 weeks into the Paleo Challenge that some of us started on January 10. I have done the challenge before and I have been eating a Paleo diet since October but over Christmas I allowed myself some cheats. Some of the goodies and homemade fresh rolls were just too good to resist and the box of chocolates that my seniors aquafit class gave me was best before January 21st. I keep saying "some cheats" when in reality, looking back it was a lot of junk. Since I have a few clients and family members trying the 30 day challenge I decided that to do it with them was the best way to get back on track.
Anyone who has done a 30 day Paleo challenge before knows first hand that the 2nd week of the challenge is the most difficult. I have even heard it referred to as "Hell week". When you eat bread and pasta and sugary foods they all go to the same "happy receptors" in the brain as alcohol and nicotene and other addictive substances. It makes sense then that you will go through similar withdrawl symptoms when you cut the junk out of your diet. When I did a 30 day challenge last, I was warned that the second week would be bad. I was not prepared however that it would be as bad as it was. I was so exhausted that my muscles ached and I just could not seem to get enough sleep. I was grumpy partly from denial of the foods that I craved and partly due to physical exhaustion. It was not easy to get up and go to work, especially when that work involved motivating and leading participants through fitness classes. This past week was really no different. Mid-week was the worst, it all seemed to get steadily worse, culminating Wednesday afternoon in a severe grump fest. I had to get some groceries which I did on an empty stomach. Inadvisable at the best of times but when you are craving bread and the deli sandwiches look so good it does not go well. I left the grocery store with my dignity intact, I did not give in to my craving but it didn't end there. The craving lasted for the remainder of the day. Add to that the physical exhaustion and I was not a happy camper. I am proud to say that although I went to bed grumpy I did not give in and woke up Thursday morning much happier and beginning to feel infinitely better.
I hope that everyone managed to make it through week 2 strong and proud. We have climbed to the top and the rest is all downhill. I know that there are some of you out there just waiting for the 30 days to be up so you can finally have that sandwich. You may just discover though that you don't want it anymore. After avoiding gluten and dairy like the plague for 30 days your stomach usually isn't happy when you wolf down a piece of pizza or ham and cheese on whole wheat. I had a piece of birthday cake once after many days of Paleo and the effects were instant. Things just don't taste good anymore when they cause instant pain.
Good luck everyone and stay strong, you are halfway done. Trust me, by the end you will feel so amazing that it will all be worth it.
Anyone who has done a 30 day Paleo challenge before knows first hand that the 2nd week of the challenge is the most difficult. I have even heard it referred to as "Hell week". When you eat bread and pasta and sugary foods they all go to the same "happy receptors" in the brain as alcohol and nicotene and other addictive substances. It makes sense then that you will go through similar withdrawl symptoms when you cut the junk out of your diet. When I did a 30 day challenge last, I was warned that the second week would be bad. I was not prepared however that it would be as bad as it was. I was so exhausted that my muscles ached and I just could not seem to get enough sleep. I was grumpy partly from denial of the foods that I craved and partly due to physical exhaustion. It was not easy to get up and go to work, especially when that work involved motivating and leading participants through fitness classes. This past week was really no different. Mid-week was the worst, it all seemed to get steadily worse, culminating Wednesday afternoon in a severe grump fest. I had to get some groceries which I did on an empty stomach. Inadvisable at the best of times but when you are craving bread and the deli sandwiches look so good it does not go well. I left the grocery store with my dignity intact, I did not give in to my craving but it didn't end there. The craving lasted for the remainder of the day. Add to that the physical exhaustion and I was not a happy camper. I am proud to say that although I went to bed grumpy I did not give in and woke up Thursday morning much happier and beginning to feel infinitely better.
I hope that everyone managed to make it through week 2 strong and proud. We have climbed to the top and the rest is all downhill. I know that there are some of you out there just waiting for the 30 days to be up so you can finally have that sandwich. You may just discover though that you don't want it anymore. After avoiding gluten and dairy like the plague for 30 days your stomach usually isn't happy when you wolf down a piece of pizza or ham and cheese on whole wheat. I had a piece of birthday cake once after many days of Paleo and the effects were instant. Things just don't taste good anymore when they cause instant pain.
Good luck everyone and stay strong, you are halfway done. Trust me, by the end you will feel so amazing that it will all be worth it.
Comments
Post a Comment