Nutrition in 60 seconds

Or the answer to "why I eat the way I eat":

"I eat real food – fresh, natural food like meat, vegetables and fruit.  I choose foods that are nutrient-dense, with lots of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, over foods that have more calories but less nutrition.  And food quality is important – I’m careful about where my meat, seafood and eggs come from, and buy organic local produce as often as possible.
This is not a “diet” – I eat as much as I need to maintain strength, energy, activity levels and a healthy body weight.  I aim for well-balanced nutrition, so I eat both animals and a significant amounts of plants.  I’m not lacking carbohydrates – I just get them from vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereal or pasta.  And my meals are probably higher in fat than you’d imagine, but fat is a healthy source of energy when it comes from high-quality foods like avocado, coconut and grass-fed beef.
Eating like this is ideal for maintaining a healthy metabolism and reducing inflammation within the body.  It’s good for body composition, energy levels, sleep quality, mental attitude and quality of life.  It helps eliminate sugar cravings and reestablishes a healthy relationship with food.  It also works to minimize your risk for a whole host of lifestyle diseases and conditions, like diabetes, heart attack, stroke and autoimmune."

from <here>

this is me with a big goober face during our Labor Day workout at the gym.  I was mid-lunge and apparently pretty happy about it. 

Things I learned in 30 days

So remember on the old blog when Hubs and I (unsuccessfully) went on something called "Whole 30"?  Well, we went at it again, this time SUCCESSFULLY!!  We did this challenge with our gym, Crossfit Strong so there was some buy-in like a contest, body weight and fat measurements, and muscle mass scans and we had the accountability of our gym-mates and each other.  Yesterday was day 30 and it feels so good to have reached this goal.  In a nutshell, we eat real food – meat, fish, eggs, tons of vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of good fats.  No grains, dairy, legumes (including soy and soy products), and no sugar (real or artificial).  If you want to know more and the WHY behind it, visit the website. 

What I've learned in the past 30 days:

1. I am more powerful than the food that I eat.
2. EVERYTHING that I eat is a CHOICE.
3. Eating well takes preparation.  ALOT of it.
4.  It is not more expensive to eat "healthy".  (When there are only like 3 restaurants you can eat at, eating at home becomes alot more exciting)
5.  Fruit is sweet enough for me.  I don't need added sugar.
6.  Food fuels my body, it does not heal my emotions. 
7. However, when I eat well, my emotions/mood are more balanced. 
8.  Coconut products (oil, butter, milk, flakes) are my best friend.
9. I now like PLAIN scrambled eggs.  (I didn't 30 days ago)
10. I have gotten stronger. 
11. It shows. 
12. I approach a workout with more confidence because I know I am fueled properly.
13. Read read read your labels. Sugar is sneaky!
14. I don't feel deprived, I feel liberated.
15. Mid-day slump?  What mid-day slump?
16. Kale is our new favorite vegetable. 
17. My recovery (after workouts) is SO much better.  I am not as sore and the soreness goes away more quickly. 
18. I don't feel like my workouts are "making up" for my nutrition. In other words, my workouts actually count for something~hence, stronger!
19. It really isn't that hard to make good choices.
20. I want to keep going.

So now, day 31.  Still going.  Friday we have a plan for our first "cheat" meal that includes queso, pizza, and ice cream, but we are going strong until then.  And will pick it right back up after that meal. 

Yay!

the importance of taking it easy...

I think it is funny that one of my first posts will NOT be about nutrition or working out. 

Tommy and I just returned from a week in Seaside, FL.  It was wonderful, beautiful, relaxing...we had one little mishap in which Tommy dropped a knife on his foot. Long story short, we were really concerned that he had cut his tendon so we ended up going to two doctors, he had to get 3 stitches, and an antibiotic prescription, but the tendon is ok.  We came up with a really creative contraption to get him down to the beach and in the water, so our week was not a loss (he did it on the first day!). 

Because of the accident, we were alot less active than we anticipated.  I worked out once at a local crossfit gym, 30a Crossfit, and then did nothing else.  We had plans to ride bikes, play tennis, etc, but none of that ended up happening.  And that was ok.  In a way, maybe we NEEDED not to be active. 

Being super focused and intentional with the way you live is WONDERFUL, but can take alot of energy, especially when you are creating the habits  That's why so many diets fail, so many workout resolutions go unfulfilled, those quiet times with God get skipped.  It's hard to be disciplined.  This week, Tommy and I rested, ate whatever we want (ice cream EVERY night!), stared out into the ocean, read, napped, and just enjoyed one another.  It was so refreshing.  Our time with God was refreshing, wasn't PLANNED, it just happened and the conversations about Him came naturally.  And it was GOOD. 

Being disciplined is essential to growing and achieving goals--but taking it easy is VITAL to not going bonkers!!

Be aggressive and passionate and disciplined with how you live.  BUT take time to be refreshed, rest, play, drink, and THEN get right back into your routine.  Don't mindlessly eat whatever, watch whatever, do whatever.  If you are going to take time for yourself, do it WELL.  Eat REALLY REALLY yummy stuff.  Do things that are WORTH it.  Have FUN. 

Staying Strong

Welcome to the Byrd family's new blog.

My hopes for this blog are to share inspiring experiences, thoughts, etc on the Byrd's journey of staying strong.  The Byrd family has really committed to the idea of "staying strong" in all aspects of our lives.

This blog will cover three specific aspects of strength and how they exist and coexist.
1. Faith
2. Nutrition
3. Physical fitness

While all three are important, Tommy and I have found such a dynamic relationship between the three.  The ideas of endurance, discipline, self-control, contentment, leaning on the true source of strength, all play a part in each of these areas. Just a quick thought- we can (on our own) achieve such strength in certain areas of our lives.  We can get really fit, eat really well, work really hard...but how much STRONGER will all those areas be when we learn to find and rely on the TRUE source of strength?  How many better food choices can I make on a daily basis when I lean on HIM for comfort, and not my favorite foods?  How much more motivated am I to staying fit when I look at it in the context of viewing my body as a vessel to be used by HIM?  We will expand on this and more in future posts.

Look forward to more from "Staying Strong"!  (And don't worry, we will add in some fun, random, life-updating posts as well!)

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 18:32
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.