The Paleo Results!

It's over!  The 9 week challenge that I took part in is over!  Since I put all my business out on front street 9 weeks ago, I think I owe you a follow up.

You guys!  It wasn't as bad/difficult/gut wrenching as I thought it would be!  As for the diet aspect, I kept it simple...the wildest recipe I tried was making breaded chicken with almond meal instead of bread crumbs.  For breakfast, I absolutely ate the same thing almost every day.  For the rest of the day...there was a lot of grilled chicken, steamed veggies, sweet potatoes, eggs, bacon, tuna, fruit and almonds.

I never craved anything...though at one point after Halloween, I was cleaning the kitchen and picked up a chunk of a Hershey bar!  Oh my stars!  I covered my mouth with one hand and threw the chocolate at the garbage can!  Get behind me, satan! 

I'm sure I could go on and on about the diet, but I'll just hit the high points.  I exceeded my weight loss goal!  I lost several inches!  This sounds weird, but my fingernails are the strongest they have ever been!  My belly feels good all the time, which wasn't always the case previously.  Someday, I'll tell you what happens when I eat the turkey sandwich at Eat N' Park...The only time I felt hungry is when I didn't or couldn't plan ahead.  *There were a few hospital days with Trey when I just could not eat in front of him*  My skin is clear(er)!  Though, as a life long picker, this makes me sad.  Maybe I should include it under 'low points'.  But, truly, even Jay has complimented my skin several times...and this is the same husband that (years ago) didn't notice that I had taken out my nose ring for 3 weeks.  My times for each of the benchmark workouts improved!

As for low points, not too many.  However, we went to a wedding and let me tell you...I love, love, love weddings!  I knew that this day would be a "cheat" in my entries and I was okay with that.  I was eying up that wedding cake!  Seriously?  I DIDN'T like the cake!  It was too sweet!  (I know, I know!  Wah!  And my diamond shoes were too tight!)  But, really!  I was looking forward to that cake!  Bummer.  Another time, I went to dinner with friends.  Knowing that I wasn't going to use a "cheat", I looked up the menu ahead of time to find something Paleo friendly.  What did I end up with???  A stinkin' chicken salad with all the good stuff (cheese!) taken off.  I could've had that at home and not had to tip anyone!

Now that the challenge is over, I plan on sticking with the Paleo, though not as strictly as per the challenge.  And maybe on the weekend, I'll enjoy a "free" meal.  Since we rarely go out to restaurants (I mean, come on!  I went to ONE in nine weeks!), I will choose freely from the menu. 

But now, I know you've all been waiting for them...The after pictures!!!!  Let me refresh your memories with the before pics, too...

before

before

after!

after!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Hooray!  Can you tell by the pictures that I hate, hate, hate having my picture taken?  Ugh!  Anywho...look into Paleo if you're thinking of changing things up.  It's a challenge, but isn't anything that's worth it?

Should We or Shouldn't We????

Of course I'm talking about The Elf on the Shelf.  I mean, what else could it have been?  It's kinda embarrassing to think of how much mental turmoil I create for myself over a decision like this.  Do you love him or hate him?  Do you even know who he is?  This little (sometimes mischievous) Elf plants himself in your house for the Christmas season, watches the children and reports back to the big guy (Santa...not THE Big Guy). I actually have a pro and con list for this "Christmas Tradition"...Please help me to decide!

Pros:
He's so cute!
I love to think of the kids' faces as they search the house looking for the elf every morning.
What a fun tradition!  Aren't I always rambling on and on about not having enough traditions?
I could stretch my creative muscles to think of new and funny ways to hide him. 
If I hide him well enough, maybe the kids won't find him for a few days but they would use all their free time searching instead of fighting with each other.  

Cons:
So, you're telling me that in addition to making lunches, redding up, Christmas shopping, planning and decorating, that I have to REMEMBER to hide this guy EVERY night for a month?
I fear the wrath if this elf gets "hidden" in the same spot more than once.  My kids are old enough to call that BS out.
Some people have gotten sooooo creative with their elf that there are blogs dedicated to this tomfoolery...Pinterest boards, websites (sometimes inappropriate...get him outta your liquor cabinet and the Barbie bin, for Pete's sake)!  That bar is set pretty high, my friends.  Not that my kids would judge me, but I would.  I would. 
I would be setting myself up for every year to come.  As much as I long for traditions, I'm kind of a commitment phobe.  Can you do Elf on the Shelf just one time?  Or is that opening a 15 year long door?
Don't get me started on the whole "There's an elf watching me, so I better be good" concept!

See what I mean about torturing myself?  Clearly, I'm making too big of a thing out of this.  Can't I just plop him on the mantle?  Do you wish you would've started something like this years ago?  Do you regret starting this?  Do you have a similar tradition that you like better?  The clock is ticking, people...