Scared Pantsless

I've just started reading the Primal Blueprint.  Literally just started. I'm 8 pages in and haven't finished the introduction. But I had to stop and write this blog because I'm already freaking out. Can I really switch to primal eating? Is it possible?

Primal, from what I've gathered in 8 pages and a perusal of the cover, advocates a high fat, no grain, no processed foods approach to eating.  The cover says the Primal Blueprint will "reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health and boundless energy."

That sounds pretty good to me.

I know several people who have given up grains or carbs, and they have typically had such a good experience that they want to convert you.  I'm sure we've all had this conversation with those around us who've gone low-carb or Paleo or Primal or whathaveyou. I, for one, typically just shut my ears to their entreaties while exclaiming "I could never live without bread -- or pasta!"

It seems silly and extreme to me to eliminate a whole food group.  Much more sane to not cut oneself off but allow all things in moderation.  Heck, I've lost weight before (more than once, it turns out) and I've always done it by playing the calorie counting game. Consume less calories then you expend and you will lose weight.

BUT

1. I can't bring myself to diet in the traditional way again. Losing all of that weight, then gaining it back and then continually trying to lose it again has damaged something in me (mentally).
2. I need to lose weight. Honesty check: I don't easily fit in seats at all movie theatres or stadiums anymore and the thought of traveling somewhere by plane makes me really nervous because of my size. I'm missing out on 3/4 of my wardrobe because of the weight I've gained, and I don't want to have health issues when I'm older.
3. I am tired a lot and dread working out because of how much harder it is with all of this extra weight.

Things could stand to change.

So, what I'm committing to right now is suspending my disbelief, reading this book, and seriously considering following its principles.  And, apparently, apologizing to all of those who've tried to convert me to giving up wheat/grains/carbs previously and watched while I plugged my ears and said my line about not living without bread.

But really, the whole thing scares me pantsless.

You know what actually scares me more than giving up grains? Giving up processed foods. How will I live without Oreos?

My Father, the Hero

My dad's birthday was last month.  In celebration of that day, I posted this status on Facebook:

I posted it early in the morning, and as the day went on, I kept thinking about it. It was bothering me.  

I finally figured out why. 

My dad has a great yard, and he works really hard to make and keep it beautiful. But that status makes it sound like yardwork is the only thing he taught me. If the best way to honor my dad is by attempting to do all the things he does well, that would make for a busy and exhausting day.  

It's true my dad taught me to love the way a freshly mown and trimmed yard looks, but he also showed me the beauty of day lilies and helped me grow my own.  He taught me the importance of customer service and appreciation of employees, things that affect the way I work on a daily basis. He's the king of corny jokes, and I'm pretty sure I learned to laugh from him. 

He's creative and good at decorating.  He grills the best burgers.  The thing I miss most about him when we are apart is the way he hugs.  He's the best hugger I know.

My dad takes care of everything. You don't have to worry about anything when he's around, cause if something comes up, he'll take care of it.  He has an attention to detail that I will never have, and he doesn't understand laziness.

In the past two months he's become a caregiver and a nurse for my mom, something that is maybe not in his natural wheelhouse, but roles that he has become patient and proficient at performing.

Just two weeks ago, he coached me through taking care of a wasps' nest that had sprung up in my shed over the phone, giving me the confidence to tackle it on my own. (I was really dreading dealing it with it.)

Basically, even attempting an exhaustive list of all the things my dad is and does quickly becomes a daunting task, let alone trying to actually live out all of those things. Basically, he's my hero. Let that suffice for today's status.

Hotdogs!

A vlog in which I tell you a story that involves hot dogs, NYC, exercise and policemen. Sit back and relax.



Ohmygosh, I only now realized I should've worn my hotdog hat for this video!