When I started, I decided to try following the Paleo diet because I thought I ate pretty good and didn’t want to be hungry all the time by limiting how much I could eat.  I cut out all grains, dairy and anything processed and forced myself to eat more fruits and vegetables.  I ate whenever I was hungry.  I lost 7 pounds in the first two weeks.  I read Robb Wolf‘s book, The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet (in two days) and, having a degree in biochemisty, it made complete sense to me.  Especially the part where he goes into detail about grains and why they are bad:

Grains, particularly the gluten-containing grains, contain molecules that fit into the opiate receptors in our brain.  You know, the same receptors that work with heroine, morphine, and Vicodin?

Throughout his book he challenges people to try it for a month and see how your body reacts.  What happens when you add stuff back in?  Hi, my name is Wendy and I’m a grain addict!  I don’t have allergic reactions to grains, no gluten sensitivity, only the nagging feeling that I need more.  If there is bread, crackers, cookies, pretzels (even the gluten-free variety) in the house and I know about it…you can be pretty sure that I will eat it, as quickly as I can sneak it, and I will be thinking about how to get my next fix for the rest of the day.  I had no idea!  I now limit myself to the occasional corn tortilla at a Mexican restaurant, and maybe some rice here and there, but never at home.

Another thing I did was to start tracking my meals on dailyburn.com.  It’s a free website that allows you to track your nutrition, body (weight and other measurements), workouts and sleep.  It’s amazing what you can learn from your own body when you start paying attention.  I started playing around with my macronutrient (carb/protein/fat) ratios to see what works best for me.  I followed a Paleo version of the Zone diet for a month or two.  It’s a 40-30-30 diet, which means 40% of your calories come from carbs, 30% from protein and 30% from fat.  You can view the CrossFit Journal’s Zone Issue here for a more detailed explanation.  I followed the 11 block plan.  It was a little more calorie-restrictive than I like, so I would be strict during the week and eat whatever I wanted, while still staying Paleo, on the weekends.  It worked really well, but as my weight went down and my workout intensity got higher, I wasn’t getting enough fuel and was having trouble getting through a workout.

While doing some research, I looked more into the Primal way of eating, via marksdailyapple.com.  Mark Sisson suggests keeping your protein to .5-1.0g of protein (or more depending on your level of activity) per pound of lean body mass per day, carbs to 100-150g per day, and the rest of your calories from fat…the good kind, that is.  For me, that means a 20-25-55 diet.  That’s right, 55% of my calories come from fat.  Even with these numbers, I still eat less than 2000 calories per day (on average).  Fat is NOT a 4-letter word, people!  Robb Wolf says in his book:

A few enlightened folks recognize that fat is important as a fuel and is a building block for many of our cell membranes and hormones.  However, the reality is that fat is far more than just fuel or raw materials.  It is us.  Our brains are mainly fat, most of our nerves are fat.  Reproductive hormones, yep, fat.  Now there are different types of fat, and we will look at those sub-types because, if you can believe it, there are even essential fats.  Fats that if you do not get enough of, or the right ratios, you will become sick or die.

A low-fat diet can be dangerous.  For me, it caused my gall-bladder, whose main function is the digestion of fats, to become inefficient.  Over the years, I developed gall-stones, which eventually caused gall-bladder attacks, which led to the surgical removal of my gall-bladder.  Now I’m not saying that that is the only reason my gall-bladder had to be removed, as both my parents had gall-stones, but I did not start to have problems until I started increasing the fat in my diet.  Side note: Some people continue to have issues digesting fat after gall-bladder removal.  Fortunately, I am not one of them.  Fat digestion is no longer a problem for me.

People have asked me what kinds of snacks I eat.  Honestly, I don’t really feel the need to snack anymore.  I do keep a Larabar in my purse on the occasion that I can’t get home in time for a meal, but I rarely find the need to eat it.  I have found that if I eat a good breakfast of mostly protein and fat, I don’t need to eat until lunch.  My afternoon ‘snack’ is Advocare Spark, a sugar-free energy drink that helps with that afternoon lull.  Protein and fat are what keep you feeling full.  Keeping carbs to a minimum keeps the hunger away.  I also try to eat at approximately the same time every day and at home.  I know that is not possible for everyone, but it works for me.

Fruits and vegetables are carbs!  Did you know that?  Would you believe that 2 1/2 cups of steamed broccoli has the same number of carbs as 1 slice of bread…just 1.  I’m sorry, but 2 1/2 cups of steamed broccoli is gonna fill me up a lot more than one slice of bread!  Can you eat just one slice of bread?  I know I can’t…grain addict here, remember?  For those of you concerned with fiber and think you have to have your whole grains to get enough fiber…try eating more fruits and vegetables!  You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Do I ever cheat?  Of course I do.  I’m human and I have a sweet tooth, although it’s not near as big as it used to be.  You have to be able to enjoy life and food, otherwise you’ll be miserable.  You will find, as I have, that once you change the way you eat, your tastes will change, too.  Some of the foods that I used to crave or have trouble staying away from no longer appeal to me.  I try to only ‘cheat’ once a week.  Whether it is a whole meal, or just adding a yummy dessert to a regular meal.  Recently, Jeff and I have started using a ‘cheat window.’  Every Saturday night from 8-10pm, all bets are off.  We make a special run to the store to get whatever cheat food we desire.  Ice cream, cookies, brownies…anything we want…as much as we want.  But you know what?  I used to be able to eat a pint of ice cream in one sitting, no problem.  Now, I can barely get through 1/3 of a pint before I start to feel sick.  Jeff has found he has to stay away from the gluten.  Oh yeah…at 10pm anything that is left gets trashed.

What matters is how your body responds to the food you eat.  Do you really want to make yourself feel sick just because something looks or sounds good?  Honestly, those sweets just don’t taste the same as they used to.   So my advice to you is to pay attention to your body, find what works for you and change your life.  It’s a lifestyle change…not a diet…and it’s a lot easier than you think.  Try it for a month and see what happens!

So, let’s recap:

1.  Food is fuel.  The better the fuel, the better the body works.

2.  I’m an addict.  You can’t NOT eat, but you can make the conscious decision not to eat certain things.

3.  Find what works for you.  Pay attention to your body.

4.  Fat does not make you fat.

5.  Carbs are not just breads and pastas.  Fruits and vegetables are carbs, too.

6.  Nobody’s perfect.  Cheat meals are OK every once in a while.

7.  If you’re not sure about something…ask.  I’m willing to help in any way I can.

Disclaimer: The logic behind the Paleo and Primal diets talks a lot about how our ancestors ate and how we have evolved over time.  Being a Christian, I am not advocating evolution, I am advocating a way of clean and healthy eating that works for me.

Special thanks to Lesley Freeman Photography for taking these amazing photos of Skyler.  It wasn’t easy!

You can see her newborn session here, just scroll down a little.

Helping Daddy mow the back yard

Cooper’s first trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Halloween

Cooper’s 4th Birthday!

Merry Christmas!

Cooper’s first soccer practice

Cooper’s first soccer game (that he actually played in)

Skyler’s First Birthday!

I continued working for Lesley, doing contract photo editing, and was on the MOPS Steering team again.  That, along with Cooper’s various activities (swim lessons, soccer, preschool) kept me a busy mom.  I did do something for myself this past year, however.  Jeff introduced me to CrossFit and I have not looked back.  I’m in the best shape of my life and I will never go back to the way things were before.

I hope to get you all caught up on the kids, pictures, my personal transformation and plans for the future soon…stay tuned!

I promise, it won’t take me another year

-
Daddy participated in a CrossFit Competition in Dallas so we got to go to Arlington to visit Mama and Papa Choo-Choo. She took Cooper swimming in her pool and he had a blast with her. At his next swim lesson, he almost made it to station 4. His instructor said he was like a different kid; much more confident, enjoying himself and willing to try new things. Way to go, Cooper!

Skyler is growing by leaps and bounds. She is very independent, doesn’t like to be held a whole lot. She would rather just hang out on her mat, reaching for her toys. She can hold her head up during tummy time, which she doesn’t like very much.

-
She has successfully rolled from her tummy to her back and about two weeks later, rolled from her back to her tummy. She found her thumb and will sit in her Bumbo. She even giggles from time to time.

We travelled to Houston to celebrate Grandpa Kelton’s 90th Birthday. It was great seeing family and friends together celebrating this special day.

We have two special kiddos on our hands. We are so incredibly blessed!

-
Cooper finally found his confidence and started participating in SoccerTots. It only took a little bribery from Daddy, who promised to take him to see Toy Story 3. Since then he’s been having a blast!

Skyler started to get really fussy in the evenings and I was beginning to think she was just going to be colicky. She was spitting up a lot and was never really ‘happy.’ When I would go shopping (groceries or whatever, didn’t matter) she would start crying 10 minutes in. I would end up carrying her, wrangling the stroller or cart and trying to keep Cooper from getting into things. It was a major pain. I called her pediatrician’s nurse and told her what was going on and they told me to bring her in. Turns out she has reflux and was put on Zantac, which seems to be helping.

We travelled to Houston for a visit with Mama and Papa Mery, Uncle Robert, Aunt Becky and Jaxon.  Look who’s walking!

Skyler had her 2 month appointment with Dr. Ziari (Dr. Spencer books up fast). She weighed in at 10 pounds, 13 ounces (50%), was 22.5 inches long (50%) and had a head circumference of 39 cm (10%). I’m not quite sure how I gave birth to a baby with such a small head, but maybe that was God’s way of allowing me a VBAC. Thank you, God! She also started sleeping through the night. I’m not just talking 6-8 hours straight; I’m talking 12-13 hours. She is an awesome sleeper! And did I mention that she’s smiling? Love that precious girl!

Cooper finally learned how to hold his breath under water at swim lessons and progressed to station 2. It only took 5 lessons, but hopefully the next stations will come much easier to him. He is such a silly kid with a ginormous imagination and he is an awesome big brother!

My mom and dad came down to watch the kids so Jeff and I could celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. So much for our heli-skiing trip, maybe my body will be up for it next year? We settled for a nice dinner out and a movie, instead.

Skyler had her newborn session with Ms. Lesley and we got some amazing photos.

[[Show as slideshow]]

-
Next up was Skyler’s 2 week appointment with Dr. Spencer. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, was 21 inches long, with a 37cm head circumference. After dropping down to 7 pounds, 14 ounces after her birth, she was gaining weight like a champ and sleeping well at night. Dr. Spencer said she was doing very well.

We’re trying to keep Cooper occupied so he doesn’t feel left out and signed him up for SoccerTots and swim lessons at Nitro. His first SoccerTots class started off well. He was playing around with the other kids, kicking balls around. But as soon as the coaches hit the field, he turned shy and ended up crying in the corner the whole time. His second class was a little better. He still sat in the corner, but he didn’t cry, just watched.

His first swim lesson was a little better, but not much. He freaked out when I handed him over to the instructors and it took most of the class for him to calm down. Luckily, he was able to get some one-on-one time with an instructor, so that helped.

I really hope the ‘shy’ gene that he inherited from his mother is soon replaced with some confidence. I know he would have so much fun out there.

-Wendy

Cooper turned 42 months (3 ½ yrs) old on May 20th and Skyler made her grand entrance into the world on May 23rd. It’s been quite an adjustment for all of us, but we are loving every minute of it.

My mom came to stay with us for a while to help me while we were waiting for Skyler to come. We kept things pretty low key and didn’t do a whole lot, just kept to our normal routine. My dad came to visit and the night before he was going back home for work, I went in to labor…at 2am…again. Not sure why both my labors started in the middle of the night, but I’m glad it happened on its own and I didn’t have to be induced. Jeff and I went to the hospital around 5am. Skyler came in to the world at 11:25am the ‘normal’ way. No c-section this time, yay! She weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.

Cooper wore his ‘Big Brother’ shirt to the hospital and met his baby sister for the first time.

Jeff’s parents and my grandparents came to visit and meet Skyler in the hospital. We brought her home two days later wearing the same outfit I came home from the hospital in thirty two years before.

Cooper loves his baby sister. He asks to hold her every morning. He gives her kisses and talks to her all the time. It is so sweet watching him love on her.

I can’t believe we have two kids now. Let the craziness begin!

-Wendy