Paleo (1 month results)

As you may remember, we recently had a 30 paleo challenge at my CrossFit gym. I tried paleo before (last summer) but I wasn't super strict about it and pretty much only did it on the weekdays. This time I really tried to stick with it... and? I was very happy (and a little surprised!) by the results!

I'm sure by now, most of you have heard about the paleo diet. (And by the way, it's not a diet. It's not a quick-fix, lose 50lbs in 20 days, gimmicky diet. It's more of a lifestyle.) But just in case you haven't heard about it, basically it's "the caveman diet" -- you eat only whole, natural, un-processed foods... what the cavemen ate. This translates to: all the meat, seafood, veggies, fruits, nuts, & healthy fats you want. No dairy, grains, bread, pasta, legumes, sugar, or processed foods. If you'd like to read more, check out this website.

I already tried to eat pretty healthy before the challenge, so I didn't have to change a ton of stuff. The biggest changes for me were breakfast (no more cereal or oatmeal... hello, eggs and bacon!), lunch (no more sandwiches), snacks (no more granola bars or cookies... fruits and veggies!), and then no more dessert after dinner. We usually eat ate some type of sweet after dinner, so that was a bit of an adjustment. I thought giving up the grains would be really hard, but I didn't miss bread and pasta as much as I thought I would.

So anyway... the results are FINALLY in! After 30 days of pretty strict paleo: I lost over 5% body fat, 4lbs, and I improved my WOD time by 30%. I was 1 point away from 2nd place, and I tied for 1st place female!!!
(for our WOD we had to do "Cindy" on day 1 of the challenge and then again on day 30)
Cindy--
20min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of-
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats

I did 13 rounds on day 1, and 17+5 on day 30!

Overall, I was pretty happy... It was amazing to see how much of a difference it actually made, both in the way I looked and the way I felt!! I went from feeling bloated every day to feeling awesome and I could physically see a difference in my body. It's definitely less flabby and more firm now! I really didn't think the changes would be so significant.. I was expecting to lose maybe a couple pounds and maybe 2-3% body fat (the average at our gym was 3%).

Now that the challenge is over, I plan stick with it for the most part. My results were too good not to!!! I did indulge a bit last week in Mexico though ;)


I didn't go into a lot of details about this because I feel like I've done that on this blog before, and plus there are a TON of resources out there that know a lot more about paleo than me! But if you have ANY questions about it, please feel free to ask!

1 year.

 It's been a year since our little guy had his small intestine removed, so of course we had to take him back to visit his favorite doctor and the wonderful staff who saved his life last summer! Unfortunately, the doctor who actually did the surgery has moved to Texas so we didn't get to see her :(

Kosmo was SO excited to see everyone! And they were all very pleased with his progress... he's gaining weight well and besides his frequent potty breaks you really wouldn't know he's missing an organ! Given the shape he was in last summer, he's definitely come a long way!

This past year wouldn't have been the same without our little buddy and we'll be forever grateful to the amazing staff who took such great care of him!

Give your fur-babies an extra squeeze tonight.. and don't ever take them for granted!!

Mas Mexicana

When we arrived at Customs & Immigration in Atlanta upon arrival back in the US this weekend, they asked us what the purpose of our trip was. Josh's answer? To get as far away from work as possible. It's true, the primary reason for our trip was to R-E-L-A-X.

Besides swimming with dolphins and holding cute little monkies, we mostly just sat by the beach/pool and ate/drank all day. It was glorious.






On our last day we even got up early enough to score a cabana! And you better believe we stayed in that thing ALL.DAY.


The resort was beautiful and as a bonus we got to spend the week brushing up on our Spanish. My freshman year spanish teacher would be so proud! (Hola, Senora Boesche!)

Our resort had a dress code for dinner each night, so after spending the day lounging we still got to get a little dressed up for dinner which was fun.
 


It was also nice to not have to worry about a single thing all week... no making beds, no cooking, no laundry... it's all done for you! When you return from breakfast - your bed is made. When you return from dinner - your bed is folded down for you AND there's a delicious little chocolate waiting. Perfect. I mean Perfecto. 

And now.... back to reality. Which translates to a huge pile of laundry, a house that needs cleaned, suitcases that need un-packed and dogs that need bathed! 

welcome home! 

but really... there's no place like home.

For those that have asked, we stayed at The Royal Hideaway resort in Playa Del Carmen.
 

Aitana the Dolphin

Thanks to a mishap at the airport when we arrived, we ended up with a discount to play with dolphins!!! It wasn't my first time swimming with dolphins, but Josh really wanted to so I gave in.... just kidding! He didn't really have to twist my arm.. in fact, I may have even been a little more excited than he was!

It was just as amazing this time as it was first time I did it... I even told Josh that we should move to Mexico and open our own dolphin program. I could be the trainer, and he could be the photographer. Seriously, they are making a killing off these photos!

Dolphins are incredible creatures!!! Our dolphin's name was Aitana and she was 5 years old. We got to kiss her, hug her, shake her fins, play ball with her, dance with her, AND she sang to us.



This picture seriously makes me laugh! Aitana is not scary, B! She is really sweet! :)




At the end we got to play a splash game with her and she put on a little show for us.



It really is an awesome experience! If you ever have the chance to swim with dolphins, don't even think about it.. just DO IT!

Hasta luego!

The only Mexican girl I'll let him kiss ;)

Island Time

Hola mis amigos!

We are off exploring a more sunny and tropical part of the world now -- we are in Mexico!!! We've been enjoying being on "island time" without a care in the world!

The waves have been pretty crazy.. we had a red flag yesterday and a yellow flag today! Apparently red means you're not supposed to get in the water, but we're rebels ;) (and also we didn't know it was red until we got out...)

We're in Cancun and it is HOT here. Even the locals think so...


This guy was using his leaf blower to cool off a bit... and I don't blame him!



The beach is beautiful!


The food at our resort is delicious!!

And the people are very friendly!

We currently have no complaints ;)

And we have something exciting planned for tomorrow!!! Stay tuned!!!

Hasta luego! Adios from Mexico!

A Providence PR!!

Our race experience has been much different this time around than Arizona. Thank goodness.

This time, Josh and I didn't even plan before hand where I would find him along the course like we usually do...I somehow managed to figure out the map like a big girl and wander around Providence like I owned the place. Or something. Either way, I managed to see him at mile 1, 2, 11, and the finish :D




AND I didn't even get lost!!! ;)

Josh also didn't give me a list of his expected time splits like usual... so when I saw him at mile 11, I really didn't know if he was on track to meet his goal or not. But I had a feeling he was doing REALLY good when he was one of those guys that came around the corner by himself instead of in the main pack of runners... he was so far ahead! ;)

The race ended going up a huge hill... so I saw him, cheered, snapped some photos, and then ran to find him at the finish. I saw the finish line clock that read 1:26... and I thought OMG he seriously CRUSHED his goal!!! (his goal was 1:27-1:28). Turns out his "official" Garmin time was 1:25:49 (and was actually for 13.25 miles instead of 13.1)!!!! HOLY COW!! I knew B was a speed demon, but his previous PR was 1:29:04... he SMOKED IT!!!!


So proud :)

Great job, B!!!!!

Rhode Island

Hello, friends!!

We have been in Providence, RI this weekend for Josh's latest half marathon (he's running the Providence 1/2 marathon in the morning!!) We've been having a good time despite the rain and humidity (my hair isn't a fan). Yesterday we met up with Erica who came in from Boston just to see us!!!


It was nice to catch up with her and hang out for a bit. Providence is pretty small (imagine that in Rhode Island...) but it's a cute little town and we had fun exploring!







Erica's been to Providence before so she knew of a few cool things for us to check out!!
Like, Firewater -- little bonfires on the water. So neat.



Other than that, most stuff was closed except for the ginormous mall! Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but they sure do have a huge mall... and I think everyone from RI was there for lunch today.

We also saw The Bourne Legacy.. I hadn't seen the others but Josh was super excited to see it. I took a nap through the first half, but then I woke up and it was pretty good. Josh recommends it if you're  a fan of the Bourne trilogy :)

Thanks for coming to hang out, Erica!!! So good to see you! :)
 Off to bed... 5:15am will come VERY early!!!
Oh, and then there's this...


So... you're welcome.

iphoto dump

i got to thinking earlier about all the random stuff my iphone sees... (random, i know. and yes i really do think about these things)

lots of random stuff that often doesn't make it to the blog, so i figured it was time for another iphoto dump.

(it's all on instagram though, if you want to follow along and see my random snapshots)

like.. the claw.
 
we discovered recently that one of lola's claws is half black and half white.. split right down the middle.

crossfit battle wounds.
contrary to how it may appear, crossfit is not dangerous..... i am just clumsy and apparently bruise like a peach!!! and now have man-hands.

the head tilt.
happy breakfast.

boston terrier snuggles & sleepies

gas station presents from my love.
thanks honey ;)

"maybe if i roll around on this wet towel it will make me clean!" - lola

kosmo watching the olympics.

a bud light cap with a compass on it... and a mullet. spotted at mumford & sons concert.


 and last but not least, the plank.

.........and you're welcome.

happy hump day, friends!