Hi!
A few days ago I posted what my mind thinks is a motivational rant for people that are just getting going on the health and fitness journey. If you didn't read that one, you should. It is fun and it will make me feel better about it not getting as many reads as when I just talk shit about how people are idiots...Eh...But I'm like you, people are idiots, and it is fun to talk about it. But that is for another time! Don't get me going.
In that Eff word riddled rant meant to get you pumped I also promised to post my resolutions. I was working on that little number when new information arose. And far be it for me to be the kind of idiot that say "My Haterz" (with a Z) inspired me. Mostly because that is nonsense and has absolutely no logic to it...eh...
"Stop Preston. Focus here."
Anyway, quite a few of my most frequent playful/passive aggressive admirers did make me think. Also a lot of other "Resolution" posts got me thinking. So it changed everything an I had to scrap the first draft as it was no longer valid.
The first thing I saw is a lot people putting little hints about there resolutions out there. Maybe a little picture or vague status update or reposting articles about Whole 30 or something. And Hey, if you made a resolution and it means something to you and you are working on it, good! I am happy for you and I hope you succeed. I really do. But for me, I think without accountability, you are starting the whole process with one foot out the door. You can back out with no real consequence except for your own guilt. I used to do that with that smoking when I tried to quit like 284 times. I wouldn't tell anyone, I would just try to see how long I could go. Same thing with drinking. The difference came when I just made it so ridiculously public that my friends and "admirers" alike would have had a field day if I slipped up. So that was just more motivation not to fuck up.
Secondly, by merely expressing some interest in a new idea, I was met with a lot of ill-advised social media commenting of opinions and easily Googled articles weighing heavily toward their opinion. We have already discussed that here though. If you want Google to agree with you, you just have to type in the right search words, and it will. BUT, I will not go off on that either. I just saw that even broaching a new and uncomfortable idea, even to the seemingly most open minded people, has a little backlash. So, with these powers combined, I formed some resolution and a fun little plan.
First, and again, the biggest reason I am putting this here is so you can hold me accountable. Whether you have been a supportive friend, of a spectator watching from the nose-bleeds waiting on a firey, bloody crash. Accountability is a huge part of my success. I am easily swayed by my own stupid brain to give up when no one is looking. So the trick is to make everyone look. For better or worse, you are helping me. Love me or hate me, please don't stop. So that explains the title.
I am burning my ships.
There will be no escape from this land. I can only conquer or perish. And I will have to accept whatever fate may come in front of the gazes of friend and foe alike. I just hope I didn't leave my phone on the ship...I need it for work and stuff.
So I am starting with the inspiration I caught from my new and uncomfortable idea. The Paleo Diet. With some urging from people at my gym. People that are not only serious about their health and fitness, but at times competitive with it. Also people that really have nothing to gain from me doing this. They just saw me plateau and gave some suggestions. One was that I just pick up the book
The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf. Here is a link to check it out - www.robbwolf.com
The book was $10 on Amazon for my Kindle so not a huge investment. I have already read a ton of diet, health, fitness, and nutrition books so this wasn't a big deal. As I read through I can't say that I am buying all of it, but combined with other things I have read, and things I have had success with in the past, a lot of it started making a lot of sense. So as you can imagine by putting a half idea out that I may look at gluten differently, I had the Hoo-Hahs all over me. Not just online but pretty much anyone I brought it up to as conversation. Even though I was really just thinking out loud about it, people got defensive like I joined the Mormon Church and showed up at their front door. People love fucking bread man. Crazy.
I finished the book today and I am still not completely sold. I don't know. But from this book, other books and previous experience, I came to this conclusion:
At worst gluten could be poisoning me and attributing to a lot of issues I have. At best, it really doesn't do me any favors.
So with that I have decided to put my money where my bread used to be and take on the 30 Day challenge it suggests in the book. I really don't have anything to lose from doing and plus it will be fun. Either fun for me because it will work wonders as the book suggests, or fun for you when I fail and have to admit like a kid that pooped his pants at Six Flags. Once this post goes online I really have no other choice.
I have some other ships to burn but they are not as fun as this don't really require accountability. Accountability for them may even hurt some feelings. But I will say this. I have learned there are different kinds of friends. I have a lot and I have some great ones. There are friends that truly care about and support you and then there are accomplices. With the many changes I am making and the steps I am taking, I just can't afford to have any accomplices.
So...back to business.
The 30 Day challenge.
About 5 years ago I did a few of these and they were fun. My favorite was 30 Days of Giving. I either gave money or time to a new charity every day for 30 Days. Learned a lot and felt great. I highly suggest trying that one yourself.
But for this one, this is how it is going to go.
I will be starting the 30 Days Monday January 19th. I will adhere as closely to the guidelines in the book and other Paleo sources as closely as I can. Money probably being the only obstacle. He suggests that you have a ton of blood work done at the beginning then at the end, but ain't nobody got money for that. But tracking progress is pretty key so I will be doing that. I will keep a journal everyday or every other day. I will try to briefly discuss my successes, challenges, or indifference on the daily routine.
I will take progress pictures and measurements weekly. This will include, weight, waist size, hip size, and waist to hip ratio. Success or failure, I will post the pictures.
I will try to keep a running tally of the cost associated with it too. The biggest argument I have gotten for any route of healthy eating is that it is too expensive. I don't believe that, but being that this is a lot of meat and lower caloric dense foods, I am assuming it may be a little more expensive than I am used to. Time will tell.
If I do slip up, and that is very strong and real possibility, I will be honest and accountable for it. I will not only tell you about it, but I will take a picture of the sinful deed. You can shame me as you see fit. Please don't throw rocks.
Just like always, I will maintain my current workout schedule, but will probably stepping it up because I have the Savage Race to train for. (If you want to run with me sign up here SAVAGE RACE)
I will not be taking any weight loss supplements. Never have and I am not a cheater. Except in checkers.
At the conclusion, I will compile all of my progress data and daily journal entries, put them together, and post it.
I hope it works because right now I have hit a plateau but if it doesn't this can serve as a real life example that it might not be all it's cracked up to be. If you do believe in the concept of no gluten and the Paleo Diet, I suggest following this one. If you don't believe it works and you think its a bunch of trendy breadless bullshit, here is your chance to find out.
If you don't care but you like reading my stuff. I love you.
So there it is. The ships are ablaze and there really isn't any turning back. Plus I just had to go grocery shopping and spent like $200.
Tomorrow is day 0. Wish me luck!
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