Progress

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Challenge Starts Tomorrow

First, thank you all for the comments on yesterday's post.  I'm still not in a great mental place but we must move forward or else we are standing still.

So my 30 Day Primal Challenge starts tomorrow.  I have my badge to the right (the same as above) to remind me every time I get on Blogger about what I'm trying to do.  I created a calendar to track my successes and opportunities ala Shannon at Fat Wife's Journey to Fabulous.  Thanks for the inspiration Shannon!  I'm aiming for being primal 80% of the time.  I'm just not an all-or-nothing kind of gal.  And Maria at Last Train Out of Fatland is a couple days into her Paleo Challenge which is very similar so I won't feel so alone.  The guru on this journey is Mark Sisson...THE Primal Blueprint guy.  So what is  this Primal Challenge all about?  Well...quite a bit.  Below are the challenges Hubby and I face in the coming month, taken straight from the Primal Blueprint website.  My comments are in blue.



  1. Eat Lots of Plants and Animals.  Easy enough.
    • Cook at home.  Getting better about this.  
    • Eat clean: The quality of your food matters. While sourcing clean food (organic, grass-fed, pastured, etc.) can be difficult and pricey it’s also an important part of the Primal Blueprint. Let me be clear. If your eating plan strictly consists of Primal foods, but your beef isn’t grass-finished, your eggs aren’t pastured and your vegetables are conventionally raised, you are still light years ahead of most people. But there’s room for improvement. This probably isn't going to happen.  Organic and grass fed is just a little too rich for my blood these days.
    • Dial in your carb count
  2. Avoid Poisonous Things
    • Don’t eat garbage.  I can do this, I can do this...
  3. Move Frequently at a Slow Pace
    • Just move: It’s that simple. Just get out there and move. I challenge you to align your low-level aerobic activity with Primal Blueprint Fitness. Too hot...back to the gym.
  4. Lift Heavy Things.  Since I'll be at the gym anyway...moving...might as well lift something while I'm there.
  5. Sprint Once in a While.  I'm not known for speed but OK...
  6. Get Adequate Sleep.  I'll try...really...I will.
  7. Play.  If you’ve forgotten how to play, this challenge will jog your memory. Grok did it and it’s why I train. For the stress-reducing effects, to get you moving without even realizing you’re moving and for the sheer fun of it.  I don't know about this.  I'll make an effort to play with my kids more and hopefully this will satisfy it.  
  8. Get Adequate Sunlight.  Done.  Can't walk to your car in AZ without getting your daily dose of Vitamin D
  9. Avoid Stupid Mistakes
    • Listen to your body: This is such a broad Primal Blueprint law the challenge could take many directions. For the purpose of this 30-day challenge, though, I’d like you to be particularly aware of what your body is telling you during each of the other challenges. Feel a sharp pain during a sprint? Be smart and end your sprint session. Skin turning pink while out in the sun? That’s a sign to seek shade and avoid a nasty burn. 
  10. Use Your Brain
    • Challenge yourself intellectually: I won’t ask you to throw out your television or read War and Peace this month. But I will say that you are gifted with a huge brain, and you should flex it. We each have the power to solve difficult problems, be incredibly creative, and effect major change. And it all begins in our heads. Hmmm...I'll have to figure this one out.  It seems that the type of work I do strains my brain every day but I'd rather make it fun...like crosswords or sudoku or something.  Wonder if that counts?
So there you have it.  This is what Hubby and I are attempting to do in the month of September.  It all seems pretty basic doesn't it?  Doesn't seem that hard.  Just cut out the crap you eat, move your body and get back to basics.  We'll certainly give it the ol' college try.  

12 comments:

Shannon said...

i like it!
sounds like a great way to get things moving!

Glad you like the calender idea. It's a great way of keeping track of things :)

Kristin said...

It sounds like very sound advice! I am sure you will do great!

Just try and stay focused!

Jen said...

This does sound pretty doable! I may jump on this as well!

Girl, this heat is killing me!!! Sooooo over it! Stay cool and good luck with the challenge!

Amanda said...

I am so excited to hear how this goes for you! If you eat organic on somethings...like the veggies that you eat the skin..the that is better the nothing!!

Cece said...

WOW ... I think it might be me but it seems like that is a lot going on (I'm still getting the hang of the basic bandster rules) ... good luck to you ... I'd love to read about your progress !

Rhonda said...

Sounds like a good plan! :) I'm gonna try to "unofficially" work on all of these as well!

~Lisa~ said...

I do like the plan!! You can DO this!! Keep us posted!

Maria said...

You guys are going to do great!!! I just downloaded the primal blueprint fitness e-book, and I'm planning on implementing that next week.

Ms. M said...

That sounds like a great plan. And, if I'm reading it correctly, something I could possibly handle committing to even in my state of gimp?!?! Think I may join Ronnie & "unofficially" give it a shot. :)

Andrea said...

Good luck! You will do great!

Nora said...

That sounds super doable, but having it in writing will help remind you. Good luck!

chloes_countdown said...

sound great! you'll do awesome.
keep us all posted