Getting my ducks in a row!

Today marks day 30 since my decision to get back on a paleo/primal type way of eating.
I feel so much better today than I did the day I started.
It was my original plan to have a sort of "cheat" day when I hit day 30 -
but that's not going to happen.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
1. I don't really feel like I am dying for anything "bad" right now.
2. I started the Primal Blueprint 21 Day challenge with my husband last week,
so this is day 8 of that challenge and I don't want to mess it up.
3. If I'm going to indulge in anything not on our "diet", I'd rather be able to enjoy
it with my guy.
So I am waiting and if we feel we need it -
we will celebrate our 21 days with something at the end of that, which will be October 6th. =)

Instead of having a cheat day, I decided to celebrate day 30 with a nice primal nature walk.
I actually wish I lived closer to the ocean, 'cause that is how I would really choose to celebrate anything.
Good old Fairmount Park here in Riverside would have to do!
I guess the park got really run down at one time and was getting a pretty bad rap.
Thankfully, the city has done much to improve it and clean it up and it's a popular and beautiful
place for everyone to enjoy now!  These pictures were taken with my phone, but hopefully you can see the beauty that I got to experience this morning as I walked and thought about all the blessings in my life.

 This was my view as I got out of the car and started walking...

 Lots of people are posting photos of their autumn skies - well here's mine. I call it summerfall. ;)

There's a nice rose garden here at this park and I took some time to sit on a bench and meditate in front of this fountain. Beautiful!

 As I continued my walk - I accidentally stepped on this little guy. Whoops! Sorry!

 Did I say 'little guy'?  Here he is in comparison to my thumb nail! Eeks. Moving on!

 Sitting in front of the pond/"lake" is really the best part of this place.  So beautiful... Lots of thoughts, ideas and gratitude running through my head as I take it all in.

 Quack! Quack!!

Here's the other side. Beautiful, right?
On this walk, I made sure that I did a few sprints. Yes, I really did.  I did lots of jumps up onto a short wall. I made sure I was breathing deeply and any time a negative or fearful thought would pop into my head - I said, "NO!"  I said it right out loud.  Luckily, I didn't get any strange looks from anybody, but I wasn't being obnoxious about it either. haha!  I am a worrier.  I over-think things.  I don't want to do that anymore - so I am kicking it to the curb!

I have not been doing so hot on getting to bed as early as I'd like, so that still needs a lot of work!

I have a doctor appointment this Thursday and I am actually looking forward to seeing if there is any difference in weight since I don't weigh myself at home.
Also trying a coconut macaroon recipe for the first time.  I will let you know how it turns out.  =)

How are you doing on your health/fitness goals?  What has been easy for you? What is hardest for you?

The 2013 Primal Blueprint 21 Day Challenge!!

Got my copy through Amazon. Looking forward to starting! 

It's here and I am in!
As you know, I've been eating Paleo/Primal on my own for about  22 days now.
It hasn't been too difficult, but as it goes on, I can see that I am getting rather weary of being
thoughtful of my food and what's going on my plate.  I'm getting a little lazy and not
wanting to plan ahead.  Oh, yes! You must plan if you are going to eat this way.
So rather than letting my enthusiasm fizzle, I think that this challenge that I am
about to share with you is coming at a perfect time for me!! It's just what I needed.

I am talking about The 2013 Primal Blueprint 21 Day Challenge.  Wow! That's a mouthful!

I will basically be continuing the same eating plan as I have already been doing, moving a lot
more and then following along with any other challenges he may throw our way.

Here's the basic "list" from his blog.

In brief, this is the Challenge. Do it for just 21 days and the results will speak for themselves.

1. Eat real food.
2. Avoid sugar, grains, unhealthy fats, beans/legumes.
3. Align your carb intake with your weight goals and activity levels.
4. Move frequently at a slow pace: Get between 2-5 hours per week of moderate aerobic exercise.
5. Lift heavy things: Conduct 1-3 brief, intense sessions of full-body functional movements.
6. Sprint: Go “all out” once a week.
7. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.
8. Get 15 minutes of direct sun exposure each day.
9. Play! Find time to let go, disconnect, unwind and have fun each day.

Well, there you go.  Let's see where this takes me!! Also, I have a follow-up doctor appointment in 2 weeks and I will be excited to see what my weight will be by then as well as find out my blood test results.

Do you have any health/fitness/weight loss goals you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear about them. Leave me a comment!