Living on Grace

Day 2:  7 Day Challenge

My day started great.  Dad served me my usual breakfast in bed.  I said my prayers and got ready for the day.  I was a bit nervous to be left without my support team, Dad and Rose.  I sent them off by 9am.  Rose had a Career Shadow at the local university and Dad went to study.  I tried to remain on my feet for as long as I could since I often can’t pry myself off the couch once I sit.  Things were looking promising and my energy was stable.  I served up the kids and got them working on school.  Again, I wanted to avoid sitting.

I decided to take advantage of the glimmer of energy so I started a batch of homemade mayo.  This is my umpteenth attempt.  I was inspired to give it another shot by Michele.  I followed the recipe from The Clothes Make The Girl.  I was confident that I would have success with the mayo since I have had great results with other recipes found at that site. 

I spent longer than desired at what many have coined, a simple task.  The outcome was an unfinished product.  Not only do I lack energy but I also lack patience.  I stopped the mixing and refrigerated the liquid mayo for a later time.

It’s a sad reality when standing in a kitchen for 20 minutes with an emulsion blender can completely zap one’s energy – it’s my reality.  I was sidelined for most of the day, praying for enough strength and grace to care for the littles.

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Food:
I keep a food log for my health management.  I’m trying to dial in my aliments.  I must be certain that I don’t stress my body unnecessarily.  Wellness Mama introduced me to FITDAY.  Fitday has some great tools.  I’m finding the nutritional breakdown to most helpful.  It serves as a wonderful visual for me.   Before Fitday, I used LiveStrong’s My Plate.  Please note that I do NOT recommend measuring food for everyone.

Breakfast: 

• 2 – organic, free range eggs
• 3 – bacon

Snack:

• 2 – bacon
• 3 – grape tomatoes

Lunch:

• 4 – B.A.T.  Bacon, Avocado, Tomato
• 1 – TBLS salvaged homemade mayo

Snack:

• 3 – fresh strawberries

Dinner:

• 1.5 cups – Spinach Salad
• 1 – TBLS Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing using the homade mayo
• 1 cup – Tri-tip

Drink:

• 1 cup – Kombucha Tea
• 10 cups – water

Exercise:
My focus has been completely transformed from what it was six months ago.  Ideally, I would be working on increasing my strength and avoiding any exercise that makes me huff and puff.  Currently, I can only focus on not stressing my body.  I have not been able to take the advice of my trainer–to work on getting strong.  It’s s fine line for me to listen to my body and work through aliments to a healthier state.

If you think you might be suffering from adrenal fatigue, workouts that cause you to huff and puff might be making things worse (more cortisol = more stess and cravings). I’m going to suggest a change of plans for you (I’m talking to Lena here!). I’ve seen your squats and they are fantastic. I think it might be a good idea for you to take a break with module 3 and move into the heavy lift rotation and walking, no huffing and puffing. Let’s focus on getting you strong and lean by not creating any more stress and not worrying about your stamina for the moment. Send me a video of your deadlift and back squat when you can. Are you in?   ~ Jason S., EPLifeFit

I was able to get in a 30 min walk around the block with my entire family.  Praise God!

Sleep:
This is a major component of my life that I have neglected for far too long.  It’s been a vicious cycle of sorts.  My aliments have caused me much difficulty with sleep and my poor sleep has caused me great difficulties with my aliments.  I have experienced some improvements in my sleep since going “paleo” in Sept. 2011.  I must continue to work on making sleep a priority.

I went to bed at 9:30pm.  The dishes weren’t done, the house was a mess, lesson plans were incomplete, and dad was left to prep food for the following day.  It’s one of those things that I’m learning to offer up. I pray for His grace!