Day 13 of ClearVite Protocol

I had an appointment with my functional practitioner tonight. I hadn't seen him since before leaving for Disney, although I kept in touch by sending him a link to my blog to show him my 30-day before & after pics at least a week earlier. So, I had to laugh when he asked how I was doing, and I said I was pretty sick of being a vegetarian during the detox week, and he replied, "Yeah, I saw that on your blog." ;)

We did a quick review of all my tests again, and he reminded me just what a mess my gut was in based on all the inflammatory and malabsorption markers. After discussing how I could not take the GI Synergy packets due to the walnuts in one of the supplements, he prescribed only 1 of the 3 pills in the packets: H-PLR. I was able to identify which pill that was in the packets I'd already opened due to its strong oregano scent, so at least I got some use of of them (he was kind enough to refund half the price of the GI Synergy since I can't take it - I just have to return the unopened packets). Then he prescribed a new supplement called HCL-ProZyme which is supposed to help with digestion by supporting the production of hydrochloric acid since I appear to make too little, contributing to my malabsorption. Then we discussed the provocation phase of very deliberately trying out foods that were banned on the ClearVite diet, one at a time, and seeing how I feel after a couple days. Definitely looking forward to reintroducing beef, pork, and nightshades!!! 

So here are my current supplements (not including the ClearVite that I'm finishing up this week):

• X-FLM (supports TH-2 immune response): 1 pill 2x/day
• Strengtia (probiotics): 1 pill 2x/day
• EPA-DHA (Omega 3 fish oil): 2 pills 2/x day
• D3 (supports immune system & absorption): 2 drops 1x/day
• B12 (improves energy & digestion): 10 drops (1mg)/day
• H-PLR (fights infection in gut) - 1 pill 3x/day (increasing to 2 pills/serving if I can tolerate it)
• HCL-ProZyme (supports production of hydrochloric acid) - 1 pill 3x/day with meals

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• Lunch:
• McDonald's side salad topped with a chicken breast with my own EVOO/balsamic dressing
• a couple of my son's fries. Couldn't help myself!
• Dinner:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and cocoa powder
• Snacks:
• Fresh roast turkey from Whole Foods

Exercise: 

• Rest day, but rode bikes to my daughter's school in the morning

Day 12 of ClearVite Protocol

FINALLY! MEAT DAY!!!

As excited as I was to finally be able to have some poultry again, I passed my typical breakfast turkey sausage and decided to remain meat free until dinner to save up for the delicious dinner that Brian was preparing for my Dad's 82nd birthday. And it was worth the wait... 

I went over to the Y again and took a Zumba class to put me in the mood for some potential dancing over my upcoming ladies' weekend. It had been quite a while since I took Zumba - I was crazy for it for a while, but then last summer, I starting having pain and swelling behind my left knee. After seeing 2 doctors who prescribed physical therapy and anti-inflammatories, but not fully resolving the issue, I finally got an MRI that didn't reveal anything. But I'm pretty sure I messed it up in Zumba with all the knee pivoting and whatnot. So, 20 minutes into the class, I felt the familiar twinge of pain, and that was the end of that. Frustrating. Maybe now that my gut is less inflamed, my body can focus on fixing whatever is wrong there. So, I moved on into the gym and practiced my form on more cleans, and then tried the Sprint! Sprint! Sprint! round of the Festivus Games to see how fast I could do it. I got a lot faster on the burpees this time after practicing yesterday and watching some videos on doing burpees more efficiently. I did the 2 rounds of burpees and 9 cleans in less than 5 minutes, leaving a little more than 2 minutes for the 2 rounds on the rower. Need to get a little faster still, but there's hope! I also ran into the trainer that I worked with all year, and of the other girls my my group classes there, and they commented that I looked great. Always nice to hear! :) 

Strangely, after all my bitching about being so sick of ClearVite smoothies, I almost missed having a smoothie for lunch. I was kind of at a loss for what to eat since I'd gotten so accustomed to that routine all week. So, I didn't eat anything before bringing the kids to a birthday party (for the second Sunday in a row). Thankfully, the mom put out a tray of veggies and fruit to snack on, and even some chicken skewers (I broke my self-promise to wait on meat until dinner and had one), so I had a pretty decent lunch there. And then, of course, I served the kids more delicious smelling pizza and cake. Sigh. 

When I got home, I remembered about that tasty guac I'd bought the night before that I hated to see go bad, so I had that as a snack with more Beanitos chips before dinner, and was too full to have the second ClearVite smoothie before dinner. So, only got in one shake today, although I was supposed to have two. In retrospect, should have just had that smoothie for lunch after working out.

Brian made a wonderful dinner for my dad (see below). I took a pic, but it apparently didn't get saved on my crappy phone, so I can't share it, but it tasted even better than it looked anyway. It was basically a repeat of the roast chicken meal he made previously. It was almost a trial run for Thanksgiving, proving that we can have a delicious meal that's gluten and dairy free. Although we did make my dad his own bowl of real mashed potatoes with butter instead of subjecting him to the cauliflower mash (which we actually find delicious). For dessert, Brian tried making an apple crisp using coconut flour and coconut sugar as the topping (we couldn't find any certified gluten-free oats locally). Sadly, the topping was not good. Maybe it would be better with some oats and all mixed with some Earth Balance "butter." Everybody else topped it with some Redi-Whip, but I poured a little coconut milk on top, which I found pretty tasty (after scraping off the topping).

When I announced at one point that the entire meal (aside from Dad's potatoes) was gluten and dairy free, my dad muttered some kind of "Oh" of horror that he was eating such a healthy meal. Gotcha Dad! My sister has had quite the challenge getting him to eat gluten-free dinners with her, but she is sticking to her guns and having so much success with her weight loss journey since banishing gluten! But my dad will NEVER give up his morning ritual of toast and marmalade - quite possibly the WORST way for someone with a mild case of Type II diabetes to start their day. But he is a stubborn old man and will not listen to my rationale behind changing his habits. I guess at 82, you have to enjoy something.

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• other 1/2 of the pumpkin muffin from the farmer's market
• Lunch:
• fruit & veggie platter
• chicken skewer
• Dinner:
• roast chicken and mashed cauliflower/turnips with herb gravy
• sauteed baby carrots
• baked green beans
• homemade applesauce
• Snacks:
• rest of the guac with baby carrots and Beanitos chips
• apple crisp with coconut milk

Exercise: 60 mins; 615 cals

• 20 minutes of a Zumba class 
• Part of a CrossFit WOD

Day 11 of ClearVite Protocol

I am SO sick of smoothies. And I think the lack of calories this week is making my angry. I have no patience for the kids when they're bugging me lately. Need to get back to a "normal" diet (well, my new Paleo version of normal).

Went to the farmer's market today to get some veggies and saw a stand that said "gluten-free" so had to check it out. It had all vegan baked goods, but everything had almond flour except one thing: a pumpkin muffin. After confirming that it didn't have tapioca flour either, I bought one. And it was yummy! Every bit as tasty as the pumpkin muffins at Dunkin Donuts. I'm sure I probably should not have eaten it since it surely had ingredients that I shouldn't have on the ClearVite program (eggs, at the very least), but I've been very grumpy and needed a little pick me up. We also saw a flyer to buy a 1/4 of a grassfed cow from a local farm - we may look into doing that since the cost seemed to work out to be less than what we've been paying... 

Since our CrossFit was still closed due to the big competition they're hosting, I went over to the Y today for the first time in a few weeks. I decided I'd try to do some of the WODs that comprise the Festivus Games, which is another CrossFit competition that our box is hosting, but scaled back just for novices and intermediate people. I love the idea of doing it, but it's only 2 weeks away, so I would definitely be a novice! I'm toying with the idea of entering, but only if I know I can do it. The 3 WODs are below. Today, I tried the 3rd one with 95# and did it in well under 9 minutes, so I feel ok there. And I can do the first WOD - it will just be interesting to see how heavy I can lift (I only tried 55# today since I'm still working on form). However, I'm scared about all the burpees in the second WOD. I tried doing 15 burpee box step ups to see how long it took, and it took almost 2 minutes. I really don't know if I can do that WOD in under 7 minutes. I'll have to try that one at the Y again and learn how to speed up my burpees. 

1. THRUSTER LADDER: FEATS OF STRENGTH 

• 10 bars of ascending weights; intermediate M/F 95#-185/65#-155 or novice 65#-155/35#-125 
• After the athlete has made their final attempt at a weight (successful or not) you may perform maximum DOUBLE UNDERS (intermediates) or SINGLE UNDERS (beginner)
• This event will run as an Every Minute On the Minute(EMOM). With the bar starting on the ground the athlete will clean the bar, reach a full depth squat and then press the bar overhead. The rep is complete when the elbow, hips and knees are fully locked out. A squat clean is acceptable. The athlete may make as many attempts as possible until the clock hits the top of the next minute. The rep must be complete before time is up 

2. SPRINT SPRINT SPRINT!

• 21 Calorie row
• 15 Burpee box jump M/F 24in./20(intermediate) or Burpee step-up 24in./20(novice)
• 9 Cleans M/F 135#/95(intermediate) or 95#/65(novice)
• 15 Burpee box jump
• 21 Calorie row
• ***7 minute time cap
• *This event will begin with the athletes sitting on his/her rower. Feet may be strapped in. Hands must be off the handle. The damper may be set to athlete preference
• *Burpee box jump standard-The chest must make contact with the floor then the athlete must jump/step-up and show control on top of the box with full hip and knee lock out
• *Clean standard-The bar must leave the ground each rep and be caught in the front rack position with the hips and knees locked out and the elbows in front of the bar. The clean may be a power, squat or split

3.STRONG & FAST

• 15 Deadlifts M/F 225#/135 (intermediate) or 135#/95 (novice)
• 800m run
• 15 Deadlifts

• ***10 min time cap
• *The athlete will begin from a standing position in front of his/her bar
• *Deadlift standard-Each rep must come from the ground and must reach full lock out with the knees and hips with the shoulders behind the bar.

We rode our bikes over to the CrossFit Beast of the East Games today to check out the athletes. Wow. It was amazing to be mingling with these incredibly fit people with crazy physiques. Definitely makes you want to set some goals! We got there just at the end of a round of kipping pull-ups - man, those look exhausting. Then we saw some women do really heavy squats. Whew. Would have liked to stay longer, but the kids were restless. Might go back tomorrow since my Dad wants to check it out. Brian bought the cutest shirt for my daughter when he went to the games yesterday, and she insisted that we get a matching one for her brother today. So my son's shirt says "YOUR DAD; MY DAD." Funny, in an obnoxious way. ;)

I had my book club tonight - my second book club with no drinks for me!!! Travesty!!! Again, the hostess made all kinds of delicious looking food that I couldn't have, but I stopped at the store on the way over to ensure I had something to eat (after chugging my shake in the car on the way there). I meant to make some guac but ran out of time, so I picked some up (even though it contained small amounts of illegal tomatillo and jalapeno). I got some baby carrots for dipping, but really wanted some chips. I spied Beanitos chips, which were very tasty, and not terribly illegal since they're mainly black beans and rice, and not even cooked in soybean oil. Still had a fun night without the aid of alcohol.

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• Lunch:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, pumpkin, and bananas
• Dinner:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, coconut milk, cocoa powder, dash of coconut sugar, and bananas 
• Snacks:
• 1/2 a pumpkin muffin from the farmer's market that was gluten-free, dairy-free, and all my other allergens-free with some Earth Balance spread
• guac with baby carrots and Beanitos chips

Exercise: 

• Did my own bits and pieces of a CrossFit workout - 45 mins; 515 cals
• Bike ride to and from the Beast of the East games (about 25 minutes of riding)

Day 10 of ClearVite Protocol

Last night, I dreamed of eating meat. I should not have to dream about eating meat. So over this vegetarian ClearVite program. Sigh. One and a half days to go (throwing in the towel Sunday evening so I can enjoy my Dad's birthday dinner). 

Although I had set my alarm for 5am with the intention of doing some easy time on the elliptical this morning, I woke up at 4 for some reason, and decided to stay in the nice, warm bed and read my book instead. By 6am, I was ready to close my eyes and go back to sleep, snuggled against my little guy. But, alas, no rest for the weary. 

Since my CrossFit box was closed for their big competition today, the coach sent a "home" workout to everyone: every odd minute, run 100 meters; then every even minute, do 10 burpees. Repeat for 20 minutes. NO THANKS!!! Brian tried it and got through 9 rounds in 24 minutes - power to him! I really should voluntarily do burpees to get better, but I just HATE them so... My legs were a little sore from the 150 squats preceding wall ball throws yesterday (not to mention my shoulders), so I decided to take it easy today. I did take a little walk during lunch at work though after eating another incredibly boring and mentally unsatisfying lunch.

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• 1/2 grapefruit
• Lunch:

• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, and tropical fruit
• Leftover veggies sauteed in coconut oil
• Dinner:
• ClearVite shake with cocoa powder, coconut milk, dash of coconut sugar, and frozen bananas 
• Snacks:
• strawberries

Exercise: rest day

Day 9 of ClearVite Protocol; 7th CrossFit workout

First...ONE POUND AWAY FROM ONEDERLAND!!! SO CLOSE!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT NUMBER!!!

Had my third CrossFit workout day in a row today. I normally would have taken Wednesday off, but our box isn't offering classes Fri - Sun this weekend because they're hosting a nation-wide CrossFit competition, and I hated the thought of missing out on a workout later this week. So, since the opportunity presented itself to attend a class at noon yesterday, I took advantage of it. I feel pretty good though - not really sore. Don't think I'll do 3 in a row again though...

Did a couple new things today: first, wall stands! I'd been thinking about trying one at home for a while, but didn't have the confidence to try it. So, when the coach said to try it today, I went for it - and made it! A few times! No problem! Now to focus on doing push-ups while in a hand stand - that could take a little while to perfect... Other first: wall balls. I've seen them doing these on Biggest Loser, and they never looked happy while doing them. Now I know why. The coach insisted we do deep squats before standing a releasing the ball - that really made my heart rate skyrocket after a little while. After doing 150 of them (even if it was only a 10 pound ball), my arms were TIRED. When I went to write my name and metcon time on the board, my first attempt at the "B" in my name just became a weird drooping scribble - I guess my shoulder was pretty fried!!! My second attempt at my name seriously took a lot of focus and determination to write legibly! I was proud to have beaten 3 guys' times (not that I'm supposed to be noticing that). 

Today, I schlepped my salad over to my lunch bunch's favorite burger place and watched them eat DELICIOUS burgers. Sigh. I did indulge in some sweet potato fries though, hoping the oil wasn't too cross contaminated.

Brian's mom prepared a delicious looking version of Swiss steak for dinner. Thankfully, she made a couple veggies on the side, which got me through dinner. I didn't get home until 9 though, so that's when I had my third shale for the day. Ended up being more of a bedtime snack.

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• 1/2 grapefruit
• Lunch:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and tropical fruit
• Salad with avocado and coconut oil balsamic vinaigrette
• Goldburger's fresh sweet potato fries fried in peanut oil
• Dinner:
• misc veggies (asparagus, ax beans)
• cinnamon apples
• Snacks:
• strawberries
• ClearVite shake with cocoa powder, coconut milk, dash of coconut sugar, and frozen bananas 

Exercise: 

• CrossFit - 60 mins = 750 calories...I was working hard today!!!

Day 8 of ClearVite Protocol; 6th CrossFit workout

Had the luxury of telecommuting for my half day today, so got to run over for a noon WOD before getting Sarah off the bus (if only I could do this every week!). Ended up with another one-on-one training! Can't beat that for my $10/session! Played a silly fishing game on the rower for a warm-up: like a exercise video game that made you alternate the speed and power at which you row. Then I was excited to do full clean and jerks for the first time today. The whole movement is starting to come together now, and the more I do it, the less I have to think about all the little components. Starting to understand where you really get the power, and how to emphasize that power. The MetCon was a killer (see below). My abs were on fire during the last run, and that was BEFORE the coach told me to sprint the last stretch! Forgot to wear my heart rate monitor today, but I'm sure my burn was through the roof during that MetCon! The coach chastised me for noticing that I had the worst time on the board - I know it's not about that, but I can't help that I'm competitive!

Yesterday, I posted a pic of myself on Facebook and got the nicest compliments and support from so many people! One friend even dug up a picture of me at Halloween last year and made a before/after comparison - wow, what a difference! And I thought I was doing pretty well last year! According to my MyFitnessPal tracking, I'm down 16 pounds since that picture a year ago, but I think I've put on some muscle between then and now too which is making all the difference. And more muscle to come! 


By the time dinnertime rolled around today, I was all done with shakes. I wanted MEAT. I noticed one moment of light-headedness while working out today, and I had a couple more episodes just standing up from a seated position in the late afternoon. I'm not really hungry, but am definitely not eating enough because I don't know what the hell to eat since I don't really want any grains, and fruits and veggies just aren't that filling... I don't know how vegetarians do this... Made some sweet potato fries tonight. But what I really want is MEAT!!!!


Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and strawberries
• Lunch:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, some coconut milk, bananas, and pumpkin
• Dinner:
• ClearVite shake with cocoa powder, coconut milk, dash of coconut sugar, and frozen bananas 
• 1/2 sweet potato baked into fries
• Snacks:
• banana pre-workout

Exercise: 

• CrossFit - my Droid camera wouldn't cooperate to see the whole WOD, but here's the MetCon:

• 10 clean and jerks 135/95
• run 200 meters
• 10 clean and jerks 
• run 400 meters
• 10 clean and jerks
• run 800 meters

Day 7 of ClearVite Protocol; 5th CrossFit workout

Woke up a little hungry this morning, so I grabbed a banana. It was always my go-to pre-workout snack prior to starting these programs, and then I got out of the practice while on the RepairVite regimen since bananas were deemed too high glycemic. But now, it felt weird to have fruit instead of some meat for fuel since I'd been getting accustomed to popping some deli turkey as a snack. Oh, I still miss meat right now.

Had a great WOD today. It was pretty much a repeat of last Tuesday, which the coach said was not by design - Tuesdays are not supposed to be "deadlift days." The warm-ups were different though - some silly calisthenics (Frankensteins, high skipping, backwards running, etc). Then we did some box jumps - I've been both dreading and looking forward to these because that 24" box is intimidating as hell, and I've never tried jumping onto a platform that high (and I tripped on a step in a cardio class once and felt like an idiot). He directed the other girl in the class to jump onto a couple stacked 45# plates, but told me that I could do the 24" box (what faith in me!). So, I took his word for it, took a leap of faith (literally), and did it! Ten times! Toward the end, I was getting a little afraid I was getting tired and would trip and scrape my legs all up, but I made it through. Then we did deadlifts again, and I worked my way up to 205 pounds as my 1 rep max today! Sweet improvement from 165 last week!  I deadlifted more than my body weight!!! He gave me a nice compliment by saying that 200# for a chick is nothing to sneeze at, and then he changed my goal from 300 in a year to 315 in 6 months! I guess he sees some potential. :) He also said I should be aiming for a 7-minute mile. Whew. That seems a lot harder to achieve than 300# deadlift... Then we did 30 pull-ups (I still used a green band a a blue band and had to take a few rests to get through all 30), and then 30 push-ups. He was a stickler for maintaining perfect plank form and getting the chest all the way to the ground, so he had me modify by doing them on a bar mounted on a rack about a foot off the ground instead of on the floor to make it a little easier so that I could focus on form. I still had to take a couple breaks to get through them all.


I felt good today, so I decided to dress up a little for work - actually wear heels instead of my typical Birkenstock sandals or loafers. I got so many compliments both on my cute outfit, and for slimming down so much! That's always nice to hear. :) I can't wait to lose another 15 pounds or so and buy a new wardrobe!

Tonight I had a meeting to enroll my daughter in Daisy Scouts (I even signed up to be a co-leader - craziness!), so I didn't have anything for dinner until 8:30. I'd intended to have my shake and then my leftover veggie stirfry, but it was too late. So, I made a dessert shake of cocoa powder, coconut milk, dash of coconut sugar, and frozen bananas - YUM!!! So creamy!!! Definitely the best one yet!! And I don't even feel bad about the extra calories from the coconut milk since that's all I had for dinner. Need some fat to counterbalance all these carbs I've been eating lately in place of meat!

Food:

• 
  
• Breakfast: 
• ClearVite shake with rice milk, 1/2 banana, and a handful of frozen strawberries & blueberries
• Lunch:
• ClearVite shake with rice milk and tropical frozen fruit
• salad with avocado and coconut oil/EVOO balsamic dressing
• Dinner:
• ClearVite shake with cocoa powder, coconut milk, dash of coconut sugar, and frozen bananas 
• Snacks:
• banana pre-workout
• 1/2 grapefruit
• strawberries & blueberries

Exercise: 

• CrossFit - 600 calories today. I was just late enough to miss the butt kicks, and apparently we forgot to do some walking lunges - so sad.