Well hello there…

I love rain so while I’m not sure what this means for my visit home to go to Art in the Park (mall instead for sisterly/motherly bonding?), I’m enjoying my morning coffee that little bit more.

Last night was a fun night–after my quick dinner, my friends and I went to the country bar, spent way too much time waiting in line, and sweat like pigs on the dance floor. I had a few sips of wine before we went but I really don’t need an excuse to dance like an idiot.

 I was especially happy since I got to see a bunch of old friends, including Chelsea–whose outfit I totally ripped off !

The line…at least we’re at the front at this point!

I ran into a new friend from the gym in line–fancy that! I love this town.

This morning, I started the day with a bowl of eggs, apple, and almond butter. I guess what I did her is just take out the oats and replace ‘em with eggs. Try it.

And now for those reflections:

• on being “Paleo”: I think this deserves a post in itself, but I wish people would stop referring to ME as Paleo…

1. I am not my diet.
2. I am not eating the way I am because “my paleolithic ancestors ate this way.” I’m not skipping bread because Mark’s Daily Apple is bomb or because I want to look like a Paleoista. To be honest, I’m not sure if grains are going to kill me–I understand some of the research that’s out there talking about their bad effects–but I am sure that they’re NOT making me any healthier right now. I can’t find a reason TO eat them and I’m trusting that trying life without them won’t hurt me–and might even make me healthier. This is where big thinkers who write books, people I’ve met who love research and blog about such things, etc. come in handy.
3. I am using my brain here. I’ve never eaten this much food, period. I’ve never worried less about it. I get hungry–I eat. I’m full at lunch time? I don’t eat. No worries–when I get hungry again, I’ll find some noms. It would appear as though I’ve arrived at intuitive eating, and the honest truth is this: I couldn’t do this ’til I got real with myself. My solution? Eat real food + stop justifying eating crap. It’s the justifying part that’s important. I didn’t say stop eating crap–you’re probably going to keep eating cake, cookies, whatever it is that you love–and that’s fine. What’s more than fine–the golden ticket, maybe–is realizing that those things aren’t food, giving up the mindfuck that is trying to justify them as such, and just putting them on the level of the other things you do knowing that they’re probably not the best idea (i.e. playing hooky to go shopping, skipping your workout, etc.). Move on with your life.

• On my body right now:

I can’t actually lie to you. I feel like a million bucks, and that’s how it should be. I’m getting used to having a butt. I’m learning to love my thighs–and realizing that they’re not big from being lazy, they’re big from jumping around in the park, biking up and down mountains this summer, and from all the other active things I do. To quote Shania, I feel like a woman. Add to that (TMI warning) that I’ve had regular periods this summer and you’ve got a really really happy Cheryl. Who knew that eating real food, NOT working out for hours upon hours doing endless cardio, and chilling out a bit would = healthy. Oh wait…

• on fitness, training, health, etc.:

Going along with where I’m at, I wish people would get real about this. If you’re constantly injured, if you don’t have your period, if you can’t sleep, if you’re cranky all the time…that’s not healthy. If you keep doing the things that contribute to it (excessively training, not eating well, restricting, stressing your face off)…what do you expect to get?

I see this in my friends. So and so doesn’t have her period. So and so used to look awesome but now she’s a shell of a girl. So and so can’t run this week so she’ll hit the pool for water workouts instead at risk of losing that hard earned fitness. What’s it all good for? I’m so worried about people in my circle of friends, but I’m not sure how to approach them. It’s extra challenging since I’m coming from a place of experience–I used to push through injuries, think that not having my period was a sign that I was dong something right–all those scary things. Ignorance is not bliss…but I’m not sure on how to handle this.

• on not being in school

The more I talk about being out of school, the more I realize the fact that I’m actually excited and loving the freedom is a rarity. So many people I talk to are scared–they’re talking about how scary the real world is and how they have no idea what to do with their lives.  I guess I went through this phase and had to deal with the anxiety and get real about things before I could feel good. I think the solution is figuring out what you want to do in the world and then getting busy doing it. For me, that’s changing the way that people think about themselves, their health, and their happiness in some capacity. Blogging serves that, teaching fitness serves that, coaching will serve that, writing will serve that. At the end of the day, knowing that I’m proactively working towards these goals means that I’m exactly where I need to be–no panic required!

Phew. Now I’m going to be late for my fam jam time this afternoon–and trust me, I have more reflections that will just have to wait…but feeling much more centred (thank you blogging!) and hopefully getting some feedback is worth it…

What do you think about calling yourself “Paleo” or even “vegan” or whatever?
Do you have any ideas for how to approach people without angering them when it comes to unhealthy habits?