Discussion Board

Day 30:

My 30 day challenge is over! I was more or less successful with it. I do feel a whole lot better (except for this cold). I can recap some of the benefits I am feeling so far:

-More energy
-Better taste/smell
-Definitely stronger
-Acne has started to heal a bit
-Junk food cravings significantly reduced
-No longer needing a nap mid-day
-Better outlook
-Heartburn ALMOST GONE!
-Caffeine cravings GONE

I have been keeping records of my exercises the past 30 days, so I know how well I did:

Walking:
Start-3.5kph End-4.5kph!

Strength training: At least 10 pound weight increase with all weights!

Least I was able to lift (Biceps): Start: 10 pounds/ Finish: 20 pounds
Most I was able to lift (legs) Start: 120 pounds / Finish: 160 pounds
One that surprised me the most: All of the weights with my arms....actually had a measureable increase! One I increased 25 pounds in 4 weeks!

Before following McDougall and doing this challenge I did not have the stamina to keep up a gym routine. The few times that I did, I did not see as much of an improvement as I do now. I am surprised by how much muscle I have now.

By the way! My exercise routine improved as a whole!

Start: I was able to alternate doing strength training one day with cardio the next, by the end I was able to do cardio with 1 round of strength training, and the next day do 2 rounds of strength training, which is awesome!

It has been so satisfying seeing the card I keep my gym records on fill up. I look forward to filling up the other side.

Health hurdles I jumped over during my 30 days:

Mood swings...have pretty much mellowed out
Dry skin...cleared up
Excessive appetite...stopped (and not through willpower! haha)


Stilll looking forward to:

Mild Colitis clearing up
Less Anxiety/Depression/OCD
Acne clearing up haha


One thing I learned! Vegetable boullion has oil in it! Oops

Breakfast: Blueberries
Lunch: Vegetable stock mashed potatoes
Dinner: Quinoa w/ chopped raw veggies! Yum!!!
All the tea I can drink

Next 30 days: I will stick to being 100% McDougall. No cheating this time. I realise I was pushing myself too hard with my last challenge by saying I would exercise every day, which was too much for my body to handle. I am still quite weak. I wil be happy if I exercise at least 4 days a week, but by how well I'm doing I'm sure I will get better at going every day soon! It will be a slow start though, since I will be recovering from this nasty cold!

Here comes my 30 day challenge 2.0!

Congratulations on a great 30 days!! It's amazing how much improvement you've seen in just 30 days.

Lisa

Congrats on your 30 day challenge ..After my 30 day challenge I was able to get stricter with my diet too, without defeating myself. I think it just gets easier with time. Keep on keepin on

Thanks everyone for stopping by!

Day 1:

Still trying to kick this cold, I'm feeling a little better though. My appetite is slowly coming back.

Breakfast: Leftover quinoa salad w/ chopped veggies
Snack: Mary's organic crackers
Lunch: Plums and tomatoes
Snack: All the tea I can drink. Some with agave, some with sugar, all have rice milk.
Exercise: I did the laundry. That was the most physically exerting thing I've done today.

Hope you got some nice rest in, feel better

Thank you, Sksamboots! I do feel a little better today.

Day 2:

Not much today. Just a lot of tea and mashed potatoes, again. I might go for some corn in a bit. I read "Digestive tune-up" again and I think I know what has been causing my...problems...before. Lfwfv was right on when she suggested fruits, I think I'll start with my green smoothies again! (I've never been a big fruit person, at least this is a way to get me to eat them). In fact, I think I'll go for one now!

Day 3:

Cold is better, but I feel SO worn down. I am hoping that as I eat some more, I will feel better. I just want to sleep now, though.

Breakfast: FF hashbrowns w/ ketchup
Lunch: BBQ eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini and steamed corn
Dinner: Rice and beans w/oregano, cumin, garlic, banana peppers, kale, tomatoes, zucchini, cauliflour, carrots, cilantro and lime juice hot sauce
Exercise: None

You're dinner looks so nourishing and tasty!

Sorry you're feeling so run-down! Eat your fruits!! They always give me a lot of energy and they are easy to digest and nutrient-filled. Plus, they keep us...moving And they're the lowest calorie-density food besides veggies.

Wishing you rest and rejuvenation Loveskale!

lfwfv

Thanks Lfwfv!

Day 4:

Just feeling really depressed tonight. I am getting HUGE VAD cravings. I'm sure it is just emotions getting me thinking that. Thankfully, there are none around! I am still feeling REALLY run down.

Breakfast: FF hashbrowns w/ ketchup
Snack: Green smoothie (peaches, plums, apricots, kale, and some maple syrup)
Lunch: Leftover rice and beans w/ tortillas
Dinner: Cabbage rolls (Rice, shiitake mushrooms, tvp, onion, thyme, sage, salt and pepper, topped with crushed tomato, onion, salt and pepper)
Exercise: None

Day 5:

Severely depressed today. I ate a little.

Lunch: Some leftover cabbage rolls
Snack: Some Mary's organic crackers, chai tea w/ agave and rice milk
Dinner: Some more leftover cabbage rolls
Snack: Crackers
Exercise: None

I figure I'll get back to the gym tomorrow. I almost sent an order for a bunch of junk food, but decided against it. Yay me.

Oh, I'm sorry you're suffering with depression NO FUN. Your menus look pretty good, though. Keep on going!

Loveskale,

So sorry to hear you're struggling right now. Good for you for being committed and not buying the junk food. I hope you feel better soon.

lfwfv

Thank you Buns and Lfvfv for stopping by and giving support, it really means a lot to me!

Day 6:

I am feeling a little better today, I ate a little more. I plan on going back to the gym tomorrow. I will even pack my gym bag ahead of time. No excuses.

I made quinoa "oatmeal" today, I found the recipe out of an old cookbook. It was:

1 c. quinoa, toasted in a pan about 3 minutes on medium heat.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add the quinoa. Simmer for 5 miutes. Ad 1/3 cup of rice milk or non-dairy milk, cook for another 5 minutes. Ad 1 tbsp peanut butter. Cover completely and turn off the heat. Let stand for 10 minutes. Add some ground flax seed and maple syrup if you wish. This successfully got rid of that awful flavour plain quinoa has.

Breakfast: Green smoothie, kale and blueberries with flax, hemp, and a touch of maple syrup
Lunch: Leftover stuffed cabbage rolls
Snack: Crackers
Dinner: Quinoa oatmeal, some cherry tomatoes
Exercise: None

Day 7:

I think it is time to see my doctor about the Depression/OCD, they are feeding off of each other and it's hitting me pretty hard. Today I woke up and there was NO WAY I could get goinng. I was looking forward to my volunteer thing but I just couldn't get going.
I did push myself to exercise in the evening though. I felt more awake but not 100%.

Breakfast: Green smoothie (Kale, blueberries, plums, flax, hemp and maple syrup).
Snack: Chamomile tea w/ honey
Lunch: Some leftover quinoa
Snack: Crackers, roobos chai tea w/ agev and rice milk
Dinner: Rice and beans w/ veggies
Exercise: half an hour of weight lifting
Mood: Terrible...I just feel terrible

I figure the depression cannot be related to caffeine withdrawl, since it has been over a week and a half. Maybe I am wrong?

I think seeing the doctor is a great idea Loveskale. As for the caffeine and depression...it definitely dragged me down for at least 2-3 weeks. But, either way, if you are feeling really terrible, I think seeing a doctor is a great idea. Take care of yourself sweetie!

lfwfv