Ugga, Ugga

That's caveperson speak in the title there.  Why? Because I am eating like a caveperson. Note: the PC version instead of saying caveman or cavewoman by the way.  It's the 21st Century.

I know I've mentioned the Paleo Diet before but I have not fully brought myself to be 100% paleo.  Mainly because I like sugar and cheese too much.  I mean if I could eat bacon, sugar, cheese and beer for the rest of my life I would be extremely happy. However, the gym is doing a 30-Day Paleo Challenge and I am game!  We can do anything for 30 days, right?  I've made small changes over time, but have succumbed to stress eating and poor planning for more than a month now.

My goals are to lose 10 lbs and hopefully have some recurring joint and muscle pains in right shoulder, lower back and right knee disappear.   I realize that may take time and potentially some physical therapy but this is what I'm starting with other than popping ibuprofen and purchasing stock in Bio-freeze.

So here goes...eating only meat, veggies, fruits and nuts for the next 30 days.  No refined sugar, processed foods, grains or alcohol.  This thing ends on May 17.  Then at approximately 12:01 am on May 18th, I will be drinking a BEER.  Ha, who am I kidding.  I'm officially an old person and go to bed at like 9:30 every night.


I am so freakin glad that Bacon. Is. A. Meat. and that there were chickens during the Paleolithic Age.

photo from here http://wordsandtoons.com/2008/11/

Here are some details on the Paleo Diet taken from Cosmopolitan Primal Girl's blog.  I liked how she summarized a few things:

Why is it called Primal?
It mimics the diet of our caveman predecessors.  Prior to the Agricultural Revolution, people did not suffer from chronic diseases that plague our society today – high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity (ever heard of a fat caveman???), type 2 diabetes etc etc etc.

There are 2 key hormones that come into play:
1) Insulin – It’s a “Master Hormone” and is released by carbohydrates.  If we get too much of it we store it as fat (triglycerides).   Insulin is a storage hormone, meaning it sticks stuff into our cells and if our insulin is high, we can’t get anything out of the cells in our body.  It is the key mediator of inflammation – which is related to the onset of many diseases.  The beauty of insulin is that we have total control over the levels based on what we’re eating. You want to aim for a low insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity.

2)  Glucagon - This is the counter hormone to Insulin and is released in response to Protein.  It releases stuff out of your cells and you need it to round out the hormones.  Glucagon is critical in improving insulin sensitivity.  Glucagon dominance allows your body to use fat for energy (YAY! Who doesn’t want that??).  

Where do I get this amazing Glucagon that you speak of?
Protein!  BUT, it’s the protein found in meat and fish. Not Nuts, Beans or Rice.  The protein in these foods does not release glucagon.  If you’re a vegetarian, you need Tofu or Tempe.  This is why it’s important to have protein with every meal.   

How can I improve Insulin Sensitivity?
Follow a Primal diet and exercise.  Simple.


Here's to the next 29 days (I'm holding up my water bottle).  Bring it!

Planning from The Planner (that's me)

So, anyone can decide they have a to-do list or that dreaded word "resolutions" but it is another thing altogether to actually accomplish said items.  The best way to do this is to figure out your plan to get you there. What are your action items that will help you achieve you goal?  Here are my thoughts on a few of my to-do's this year:

1. Crochet temair throw.  Plan: this throw is made up of about 45 motifs...if I can break it down and do 1-2 per week, then I can get this sucker laying on my bed or over my sofa by the end of summer.  Plus, once I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I may hunker down and do some hard core crocheting sessions to get it completed (this is how I roll so I can see this really happening).

The beach is one of my favorite places to crochet!

2 - 4. Travel overseas.  I really want to go to Paris.  However, I do not want to go knowing only my English language and saying "you're what the French call les incompetent".  Step 1.  Order French Rosetta Stone.  CHECK!  Step 2. Do it.  CHECK.  At least I am already through Unit 1!  Step 3. Save, save, save because traveling is not cheap!

5. Attaining my CrossFit goals is high on my priority list. My plan of attack is to attend 3 to 5 times a week.  Right now I can go 5 times a week but I know once my events for work begin I will do good to get in 3 times a week.  The second part of my attack is clean eating.  We are slowing incorporating paleo-type eating into our diet, which means less grains and refined sugars.  Not sure we will ever go 100% paleo but you never know what the future holds once we start seeing the benefits!

CrossFit is really agreeing with Mr. Fitness.  Hot damn!

6. As far as Jamiegurumi, my Etsy site, goes, I really really want to get this going.  Is it too much to handle right now? Maybe.  I'm going to check out a book this week at the library called Crafty Superstar. I guess that is my first step. The second step is making a decision.

I'm also working on some things around the house.  Big surprise, I know.  My main focus will be our bedroom.  Not that this goes in the bedroom, but I've been wanting to makeover this cute little footstool I bought at a thrift store when I first moved here. I think it was $6.  I finally had an epiphany tonight on what fabric I wanted to use and I already have it on hand!  Now if I can only find the darn staple gun.  Maybe, I should resolve (hate that word!) to be more organized. LOL.

I wonder what I'm gonna look like when she's finished with me?

Things to do in 2011

Okay folks!  You know how much I love resolutions! Last year I didn't like the word resolution b/c it also meant failure to me -usually.


Drum roll please!

1. Finish this. I started it last year but it's some intense crocheting people!

2. Go here.

3. Or here.

4. Or maybe here.

5. I have several goals for CrossFit.  Here they are:

Bench 145 lbs max; Squat 200 lbs max; Deadlift 300 lbs max
10 unbroken, unassisted pull-ups

Be able to do "man" push-ups

Fit into a size 8 (with consistent attendance and clean eating)

6. I've been thinking about my Etsy site.  I still would like to open the store.  It's time consuming, of course.  And there's the whole "no one will buy my stuff" part.  So, I have to really think about my goals and reasons for doing it.  So this resolution is really TBD.

7. Blog more.  I can't give myself a more quantifiable goal here. If I say blog daily, that would freak me out too much. I can't commit to doing anything daily unless it's eating, sleeping, and showering. Too much pressure!!!!!

8. And once I finish #1, I plan to start this love quilt for our bed:

Okay, I guess that's it.  Seems a bit daunting but we'll see where it goes!  What are your resolutions?  Give me your top 3!

Bonk Ur Junk

Okay so I've been trying to figure out how I would post on this blog and the workout blog site with my WODs and not let this blog become completely lame and boring. So, I think I worked it out that I would post my workouts once a week in one post. That way I will have a log of my weights and times and can blog about the other stuff like decorating, crafts and island life!  My friend from high school, Jen recently lost a ton of weight and posted weekly bikini photos until she reached her goal!  I'm not that brave but I did take before photos in my bikini as Josh the Coach recommended, but those will NOT be shared. I guess this could suffice as a before photo.

I'm still crafting away on some Christmas presents. Considering its only a few weeks away you would think I would be further along but I think I work best under pressure! I see some long crafting nights in my future!

I've been seeing a lot of terrarium how-tos on all the decorating blogs I go to. On our recent trip to Michigan we went to the Botanical Gardens and was completely inspired by their Cacti Garden. I love the texture and colors of succulents and seeing how this is pretty much the only plant I manage to keep alive, I really love them! There were succulents everyone!

So, now, I've been inspired to make a few small open-air terrariums (for succulents) as Christmas presents. Here's an example from a Google image search:

I bought a new laptop and haven't uploaded camera software or any music from my old laptop yet.  I'm lazy.  So these are the only photos you get!

And finally for a bit more random Jamie, I pulled a 200 lb deadlift the other day and I'm so happy.  It's always been my favorite lift out of the three (bench and squat are the others), so I was just elated when I realized it was 200 lbs!  Now the met-con (fast cardio stuff) that I have to do sucks a$$ and I despise it but that is what helps in weight loss so it's a love-hate relationship. Really just hate-hate.

Mr. Fitness was telling me about the paleo diet. A lot of CrossFitters eat paleo. That's eating like a caveman.  No sugar, salt, grains or dairy.  Only meats, fruits, veggies and some nuts.  Also known as "oh hell no"! by me.  There is a website that does a 30 day challenge, where you eat paleo with zero cheating for 30 days.  You don't get on the scales at all during the 30 days.  I do find myself thinking about it.  Maybe in January as a kick-off to good health.  I dunno.  It's so extreme and I did the extreme diet a few months back and I don't know how long I can live without cheese.

But you can have real bacon on the paleo diet and I could still eat grapes and watermelon.  So maybe.

Speaking of the paleo diet, here's a text conversation b/n Mr. Fitness and I today:

Mr. Fitness: I felt like captain caveman at lunch. Don't be surprised if I club you over the head tonight. (after he a ate a paleo approved lunch today)

Me: lol that's hysterical and don't b surprised if I yank that club from u and bonk u in the junk! I'm a modern cave wife.