Our Own Transformation

We recently took an old computer up to Best Buy to have all of the data placed on to an external hard drive so we could access the thousands of pictures we had of the kids when they were first born. It's fun to go back and look through the old pictures, but we had to share with you our transition from proud, puffy parents, to lean, healthy ones. Take a look at the pictures below. It is important to note that we both were still gym rats and worked out consistently back then as well, the only thing that changed was how and what we eat.  It is also important to note that it did not change in 30 days. This was a gradual transition over several years.  The differences speak for themselves.

So far only one commenter willing to put it out there and lay it on the line. We have had conversations with dozens of people who say they are in on this challenge. Go all in and let everyone know what it is you are holding yourself to for the next thirty days. We will be here to support you and help you through. Remember the challenge tab at the top of the blog can be a big help.

 Have a great weekend, get out to the farmers markets and load up for the start of the challenge!

Everyone this Spring

Paul and the kids 2006

Dawn and Kylie Summer 2005

Dawn and Kylie 2012

Paul and Kylie Summer 2005

Paul, Dawn and Will 2012

The Fall 2012 30 Day Challenge!

Will helping me over a log at Cunningham Falls

Are you ready for another challenge, we know we are!  It has been a rough summer on the clean eating front and we are ready to clean things up.  Spread the word to your friends, we are going to be starting our next 30 day challenge on Tuesday Sept. 4th. 

We always like to try new things and this challenge will be no different.  We are going to attempt to  have you customize your challenge this time.  We have many people who have done the complete challenge where they cut out all grains, dairy, sugar, legumes, and alcohol for 30 days in an attempt to find out which foods are problematic for them and everyone who completes the challenge has had success with that approach.  Many people, however, have not been able to complete such a strict challenge or have done so and found that they do well with grass fed dairy, or rice, or  they are able to enjoy a single glass of wine or other alcoholic drink without going off the rails.  So what we are proposing for this challenge is that you choose your own rules, based on your needs and wants.  With a couple of caveats of course.  There are only two steadfast rules to the challenge and they are no gluten and no sugar for 30 days, whatever else you would like to cut out is up to you.

For example, Dawn has very strong reactions to just about anything that she eats that is not clean.  Alcohol and dairy will fill her sinuses up and have her sneezing for the night.  Gluten and grains make her feel bloated and full.  So she will be cutting everything out for this challenge.  I react more strongly to sugar and highly processed carbs.  I am fine until I have that first bite, then I can't stop and when whatever I was eating is gone, I look for something else and don't usually stop until the house is cleaned out.  The reaction is always the same.  It usually starts with a dull headache, then I get warm and sweaty, then irritable, and then I fall asleep for about 20 minutes.It's gotten to the point that Dawn and the kids will start a timer to see how fast I fall asleep after a binge. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to, but the point is that we all have our issues and for the most part we know what they are.  I have also been having gut issues with my morning coffee.  So for this challenge, I am cutting out gluten, sugar, coffee, and legumes.  I am leaving in rice, grass fed dairy, and the occasional glass of wine or gluten free beer.

The point of this particular challenge is to design it around your issues.  If your issues are not related to food(have not meet anyone who falls in this category yet) but more so on the behavior piece and you have been unable to complete 30 day's in past challenges or unwilling to even attempt for fear of failure, this may be what you need.  Try a less strict version of the challenge and hopefully gain confidence in the notion that you do have control over what you eat with the hope of expanding on it in the future.  If you are an all or nothing type of person, join Dawn with the full challenge.  The choice is yours.

We have found after several years of doing this that if people would just shift from eating the readily available packaged processed food that is forced upon us daily, to eating real food that has very few ingredients and is minimally processed they would see amazing results in both their health and appearance. We have also found that changing behavior is the most difficult thing  for most and the 30 day challenge format provides both the motivation and excuse to help your stick to your guns.

So choose your adventure, but for accountability we are asking to you to lay it one the line in our comment section, profess your intentions in a public way and we will hold you accountable.  We will also provide you with information and motivation along the way. We have some great new transformations to share as well as new resources that will make healthy eating habits easier than ever.  

Leave a comment letting us know if you are in and what your rules are for this challenge.