Day 17: Kung Fu Running Club supports #runforboston

As you may have figured out, I LOVE running. It's actually my first love with CrossFit being my second (okay, it's a toss-up between food and CrossFit, but I'll go with CrossFit for now). So when I heard about Boston, I was really sad. I finally got back to my office and streamed the news coverage that day until I had to leave for CrossFit. It's just ridiculous with what happened and I was glad to see our run clubs getting together to run for Boston.

We made signs and the runners wore green (yes, I know that is not the Boston Marathon colors, but I didn't organize it - just participated). With our run club (Kung Fu Running Club), we asked our runners to wear either green or blue and yellow. Our runs are always on Wednesday nights and through word of mouth and social media advertisement, we had 104 runners show up yesterday for this run. It was amazing! I was disappointed with the fact that my injury caused me to "man the table" and not run with the group. However, I was glad I was part of it :)

Really quick about Day 17: I still have yet to notice the fat melting away, but I did finish "It Starts With Food"!!! I ordered the book on the day I started the Whole30 challenge and it arrived on the 4th or 5th so let's just say I suggest reading the book before starting the Whole30 challenge. It is very resourceful and I enjoyed every bit of it!

I have noticed that my meals do not make me feel yucky or uncomfortably full. I am full and satisfied after each meal and usually am able to go without a snack (unless dinner is 6+ hours since my lunch).

My energy level is still consistent and I haven't had the extra cup of coffee during midday nor evening. I did get a cup of almond milk latte on Monday in between court settings, but that was because I went to a coffeehouse to prepare for my next trial and was too lazy to drive back to my office. 

I also noticed that last week, my tummy was going through some stuff, but I think it was the healing process from the "overcarbsumption" I had from my poor eating days.   I haven't really craved for brownies, cakes, blueberry cobblers, etc.  I have noticed my sweet tooth cravings are more towards fruits now (and Lara bars) and I know I need to not feed into it. 

Days 12 -16: Thai Red Curry with Ground Turkey

As you've all heard by now, something tragic happened at the Boston Marathon.  I am still shocked and have been very disturbed by it.  Before I actually get on my soap box about this topic, let me go ahead and move on to my Whole30 experience so far (and another recipe).

Over the weekend, I was in Austin, TX for a few reasons: to celebrate a friend's birthday, to hang out with a girlfriend of mine, and to run the Austin 10/20.  What's the Austin 10/20? I'm glad you asked! It's a 10 mile race with 20 bands - very similar to the Rock n' Roll half/full marathon series.  This past race was the second race for Austin 10/20 and they are going to try and start a series.  There's a race coming up next year in San Diego, California for their 10/20.  Pretty awesome!

I think being on Whole30 affected my race in a not so pleasant way.  First, I was a good minute slower than usual and second, I injured myself.  Now, I did contribute to the injury by running cold - meaning, I did not warm-up nor did I go out for any runs the week leading up to the race.  However, I did hit a wall and was not able to get out from it.  I was really disappointed with my time.  What I didn't do, and I knew I should have, was go on the Whole30 forum for athletes.  On there, many people have posted about what to eat the day before, day of, and during the race.  I messed up in so many ways...

First, I didn't have a carb-heavy meal the day before.  I actually went to a vegetarian restaurant because my girlfriend wanted to try it out.  I'll be honest, a salad to me is not a meal at all.  I need and want protein with every meal and that didn't happen on this trip (not an issue, I'll mark it as a learning how to eat away from home).  I even bought 2 bags of plantain chips (they're compliant) and that wasn't helpful either.

Second, 2 hours before the race I had a burger patty with an egg and mixed fruits.  For some reason, I felt my burger at about mile 7 and it was not comfortable.  Honestly, I wouldn't have had a burger patty before a race, but I was away from home and didn't want to be bothersome to my friend so I brought that patty from home (it was easy to nuke in the morning!).  Anyway, it was a mistake and now I think I know better and will be testing  out some pre-race breakfast items.

Third, (and I've mentioned this earlier)... I did not run at all the week leading up to the race.   Not the best idea when you're suppose to be training properly (and I obviously did not).  No worries, I am seeing a physical therapist this Friday and hopefully it's nothing bad.

Okay, I promised ya'll a recipe and here it is:

Thai Red Curry with Ground Turkey:

• 1 lb of ground turkey (or your preferred choice of protein)
• 1 tsp of coconut oil
• 1 cup of carrots, diced
• 1/2 an onion, sliced 
• 1 - 2 tbsp of red curry paste (I use Thai Kitchen)
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 tsp of ground ginger 
• 1 tsp of fish sauce (I use Red Boat)
• 1 tsp of coconut amino 
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp of red crushed peppers (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat a large sauce pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add oil and brown the ground meat (add salt and pepper for more flavors to your meat).  Remove the meat once it's browned.
3. In the same pan, add the coconut milk and curry paste and stir together.  Throw in the onions and carrots.  Cook for about 5 minutes and stir occasionally. 
4. Then add the ground ginger, coconut amino, fish sauce, and meat.
5. Serve over cauliflower rice (with red pepper flakes if you like it spicy) and enjoy!

Days 8-11: Cravings???

First off, I have to tell the world that the 3 question marks on the title of my post is done on purpose to annoy my sister - haha! She really dislike improper grammar, especially punctuations, so I just had to do that.

Second, I knew I sucked at keeping up a daily blog! I admire other bloggers who are able to write every day because I am not able to do it.  However, I don't have much to write about since every day has basically been the same: get up, make coffee, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, work-out, go home and have dinner.  See? Pretty boring! So I've saved you from my boredom! 

But, let me recap you on how my Whole30 is going so far. 

I'm actually enjoying it.  I knew it was going to be difficult because while on "normal paleo" I had a difficult time being on track and my cravings were off the charts! I would be really good during the weekday and destroy myself over the weekend.  Needless to say, I wasn't really letting my body heal and I was not doing my health any favors at all! What I have noticed is, my cravings have curbed by a LOT.  It's pretty crazy, but after about 11 days I am not craving for sugar like how I was a month ago.  Just to give you an idea on how much I used to crave sugar... I would be okay for most of the day, but once I get home or finish dinner I would be very full, but still want something sweet.  Since I've denied myself with sweets all day, I find myself getting ice cream out from the freezer and having that with brownies or madelines, or I'll have something with Nutella (fruit or pastry).  It was horrible! And it was usually at night, after a good workout and all.  I would wake up the next day feeling super disappointed at myself because I did not have any self-control over myself.  I would be good for a few days, but give into my sugar cravings and totally undo all the hard work.  So! This have been good for me because I don't even feel the sugar monster pushing me for any sweets.

My sleep has also improved.  I naturally get up between 5:30 - 6AM and I get between 7-8 hours of sleep every night (so far).  I don't have interrupted sleep and my energy level have increased.  For those of you who know me, you know how much I LOVE coffee/caffeine.  I normally start my day with at least 2 cups of coffee (one cup at home and another on the road), then by noon I would have another cup (or two) of coffee at the office (or I would have gone to Starbucks by then and ordered my 'non-fat, 1 sweet & lo, cappuccino - grande).  Well folks, I've basically eliminated my afternoon and evening coffee consumption.  I only have one maybe 2 cups of coffee at breakfast and that is it.  I am not tired during the afternoon nor have I hit a slump to where I need a "pick me up".  I am just going through my day and it dawned on me just the other day how I haven't really had any mid-day coffee.  

These are the two things I've noticed so far.  I haven't noticed any fat being melted away, but today is only Day 11 so we shall see.  On the other hand, Whole30/Whole9 have a timeline of what to expect while on the Whole30 and from Days 8-15 I am suppose to have all these weird cravings (like for food that I haven't had in years).  Interestingly, I haven't really had any cravings.  It's actually annoying because I was wondering what it is that I would crave and I haven't had any!  Although last night, I did dream of eating chocolate chip ice cream and then feeling bad as I was finishing it up because I thought to myself that I just cheated and need to start over.  Luckily, that was not true! (What's odd is chocolate chip ice cream is not my favorite so I was surprised it even occurred in my dream).  Anyway, I am still waiting to experience this weird craving.  Once I do, I will definitely update you guys!