#resource link

Dear Lissy,

So I have no idea why the hell I am up this late/early except to say that this is the reason that I normally do not keep up with a blog or Facebook nor do I even have a Twitter account. I become dangerously obsessed. I can literally stare at a computer screen for hours working on the minor details of our page to make it look or do exactly what I want. I already know I am going to regret this decision tomorrow; however, since I am already up... I might as well send you a post. I have already cleaned out my pantry and fridge, and stocked them with all paleo-approved items.  However, all that is pointless at the moment seeing as how Cullen and I gorged ourselves on pizza tonight and will be buffet-ing with my dad at a local churrascuria and Blue Mesa this weekend while he is visiting. I am not going to feel one tiny bit guilty because I am pumped about starting my second round of the paleo challenge on Monday.  I found The Beginner's Guide to the Paleo Diet that I thought would be helpful in answering questions you may have about paleo and even gives you a shopping guide link under the "more info" part.  

So I guess I will leave you with the what I wrote to one of my Crossfit coaches after I completed the 30-day paleo challenge for the first time since you had expressed an interest in reading it (Disclaimer: It is lengthy).  You may not end up feeling the way that I felt, but at least it will explain why I am choosing to complete the challenge again. Hopefully, this time around I will do a better job of sticking with the Paleo lifestyle... the holidays and all the traveling screwed me up.  

"Hello John,    I just wanted to let you know that Cullen and I successfully completed the 30 day challenge.  We did not take any before/after pics nor did we keep a blog; however, when we weighed ourselves on Wed, we discovered that I lost 11 lbs and he lost 14 lbs.  Most importantly, we feel amazing and plan on continuing to stick as close as we can to the 30 day challenge.  

This challenge has really changed the way I eat and the way I feel.  I have to be honest and say that I was really skeptical when I first decided to participate.  I was on the extreme opposite end of paleo, eating really unhealthy and junky food all the time.  I didn't really see the point of any kind of dietary restrictions and didn't think that it would make a difference, and I pretty much assumed going in that I would fail the challenge.  I thought that the way I was eating was fine; I thought that I had to eat certain foods to make me happy even if it was not good for me.  Like if I didn't eat whatever I wanted, I wouldn't be enjoying or living life.  If my body craved something, I would eat it.  If I was bored, I had to eat.  If food was present where I was, I had to eat it even if I wasn't particularly hungry or had already eaten.  

I took pride in the fact that I loved food and really loved to eat, and I thought that being on the paleo diet, restricting food in any way was going to change me in a negative way or make me unhappy.  But it was the exact opposite because I actually feel better since doing the challenge both emotionally and physically.  I feel alert, fresh, and vibrant all the time, and I feel like I was able to perform better at Crossfit. For the first time in my life, I was able to exercise will power and  control over what I ate, which I never thought I would be able to do.  I never thought that I would be able to turn down cheesy fries, or chips, or junk/comfort food in general and be okay with that.   And surprisingly, we were eating a variety of delicious food on the paleo diet, we rarely ate the same meal twice.  It's amazing the world of other foods and recipes that open up and that you get to try when you restrict yourself from what you have always been used to eating.  

Even now that the challenge is over, I now actually find myself wanting to eat paleo and choosing to eat things that are healthier instead of my usual comfort food.  And while there will be times when I will choose to eat something non-paleo, I am okay with that because it will be in moderation.  I am consciously making the choice to do so than just blindly responding to a craving or boredom or letting myself be controlled by food.  Also, I now know that I can always return and complete a 30-day challenge when needed.  I just want to say how much I appreciate you and the Crossfit gym for providing this opportunity because it really has changed my life."