The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Grain Brain.
Technically I have another week on the challenge, but since Thanksgiving happens next week, things get crazy. I wanted to post before the crazy. I also wanted to post because I got on the scale yesterday. There’s good news and bad:
First the bad. Forgive me Dr. Perlmutter for I have sinned. I did not give this challenge my best effort. Effort? Yes. Best effort? Not if you count these:
I didn’t eat them all…I may have wanted to…
and this:
and a brief encounter with pizza, not the cauliflower crust kind..
Transgressions aside, I did a lot of things right. The book focuses on three major areas: Eat, Move, Sleep so I’ll follow that order.
Where the challenge went well:
EAT
- I took the daily supplements prescribed in the book.
- I did well (not perfect) on the gluten- and wheat-free aspect of this challenge.
- I combed through my soap/shampoo/toiletries to make sure none contained gluten.
- I was already mega dosing fish oil before the challenge started but I added even more. I’m pretty sure my gills will be sprouting any day now.
- I did a good job of cutting out soy. It is basically everywhere in processed foods. This was the best I’ve ever done in regard to soy and processed foods for that matter.
SLEEP
The book recommends 7 hours of sleep. I’ve always been a great sleeper. I go down around 10 pm and I’m up without alarm by 4:30 daily. I cherish that sliver of alone time in the morning. Because I seem to do well with 6.5 hours of sleep, I did not make any changes.
MOVE
I’ve lead an active lifestyle for 15+ years now so this part of the challenge was not a problem for me. Recently however, the following modifications were made to my exercise routine:
- Less running mileage but more intensity. I added back my beloved weekly speed workout.
- Running 5ks like it’s my job
- Renewed focus on strength training now that my rotator cuff is happy
- Daily walks on non-running days
- Finally back to a weekly yoga class
RESULTS
- Almost immediately, I was astounded how laser-sharp my mind felt. I wasn’t sure I had brain fog, until it was lifted. I am more focused, productive and staying on-task.
- My skin is clearer. Face looks fresher, wrinkles are less severe. Hydrating like a champ may also have lots to do with this.
- My hair is shinier, eyes brighter, nails stronger.
- I don’t feel the need to nap or binge in the afternoon anymore.
- I am running stronger than I have in awhile, with last weekend’s 5k being my fastest in almost 2 years.
- Resting heart rate has dipped 6 points.
- My belly was visibly flatter pretty early on. Note that I’m also doing corework and a daily plank sequence, which I was before this challenge.
WEIGHT
Honestly I’ve only been on the scale twice in the last 3 weeks. I did not count calories or keep a food journal. I simply tried to stick with foods on the Grain Brain Plan: Grass-fed beef, chicken, fish, eggs, lots of veggies and good fats like avocado and coconut oil.
One week into the challenge I was pretty much the same weight so I stopped weighing. For me this challenge wasn’t about weight loss but rather general well being. In hindsight, I noticed the waist on my favorite studio pants shimmying down, but weightloss still didn’t enter my mind. I also noticed my booty seemed more, shall we say, round and shapely. I thought great, now my ass is growing too. It never occurred to me that it appears bigger, well 1. because of squat-a-palooza and dead lifts but 2. because hello! my waist is 2″ smaller than it was just 3 weeks ago. Ok I’ve strung you along enough. Yesterday the scale showed that I am down 6 freaking, fabulous pounds in 3 weeks time. I’m 5’2″ so 6 lbs. is a huge amount of weight in 3 week’s time. I thought I was at an age where weight no longer falls of like this. My mind is blown. That is all.
Ok wait that’s not all. Final words:
I’m pretty flabbergasted. I knew about the perils of sugar and inflammation on the body before reading Grain Brain but I did not know about how it affected the brain. The Caveman has been on me about grains for years but I never really thought they had a negative impact on me until my thyroid acted up. At my age, turning 51 in less than a month, I was beginning to think this was as good as it was going to get and to brace for the inevitable decline. This challenge taught me it that aging doesn’t have to be a miserable decline. Although I did not get off sugar completely, it is not something I have everyday anymore. Let the record show I even passed up a piece of cake at a birthday party last weekend. Maybe not a big deal to most, but unprecedented for me. I never expected this challenge to have such a huge impact on my body. The opportunity to do the Grain Brain Challenge was truly a gift. I’m planning to stick with it long-term.
If you have any questions about the challenge, the food, anything, ask away! Have you ever taken on a challenge and been surprised by the results?
You look awesome in that picture! And awesome results. I’m not sure I could ditch gluten and I’d inevitably forget supplements. Did you find that your grocery budget went up?
So glad you enjoyed the challenge and see a difference like I have!
Yay Kat! Can’t wait to hear how it went for you.
Kimberly our grocery bill did not go up because we were already buying grass-fed beef and since I garden the organic veggies are here too.
Oh gosh I love almond joy too but cannot recall the last time I had one. A year ago Hallowe’en maybe?
I am so glad you got good results – I have up grains at the beginning of 2013 when I did my first Whole 30 paleo challenge and have never looked back… my only transgressions have been eating white rice sushi maybe twice since then. And apparently white rice is the least harmful of the grasses/grains/pseudograins.
And I agree, soy is everywhere and darned hard to shed!
Oh how I love my quiet time in the morning, too. I hate when the kids wake up early for some reason and I don’t get it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one.
Wow – sounds like it really was a great thing for you! You look amazing in that picture!!!
Interesting! I put a hold on this book at the library. I feel like a beginner when it comes to nutrition. Do you have to give up fruit? I generally give up on any plan that requires that….
Terzah Dr. Perlmutter is not a fan of fruits high on the glycemic index (like pineapple or dried fruit) but I ate apples and berries through the entire challenge. I think this is definitely worth a read.
Wow. It’s made such a huge difference. How did you feel your energy levels were during the challenge? And were you allowed to eat rice? That’s my favourite grain.
Char some of my workouts were tough at first for sure. And yes, brown rice is allowed. I ate plenty of that and quinoa too.
You look so good! And the 6 pounds is great! I did a month worth of GF this summer and I definitely noticed a difference. Great job, Marcia!
Definitely sounds like how I felt once I cut dairy when I found out I was sensitive to it! I think working on sugar is still my biggest area..I don’t eat a ton of grains but you are right some stuff seems like it’s in everything…i.e. soy! Love that photo of you!!
Marcia you look terrific in that pic! Sounds like it was a great thing for you – and 6 lbs down…fabulous! You have intrigued me 🙂
AWESOME!!! Glad to hear that!!! I am not sure I can stick to that program just being me but I might if I had to.. 🙂
how much of it is no carb/low carb/paleo like? Would you recommend it? I am currently reading the runners diet book- more about what to eat WHEN without eliminating too much. I’m not good at “dieting” and hate giving things up…but seems like you’ve had success!!
Elizabeth it is definitely Paleo-esque, in that it is low-carb. But that is only one dimension of it. The focus is on brain health and longevity and stopping the proliferation of diabetes and alzheimers. I doubt this regimen is for everyone, but there are assessments at the beginning of the book. I would definitely recommend it for those who fit the Dr’s parameters.
Wow! I definitely want to read the book. You look fantastic too.
Wow, Marcia!! Your results are so much more striking than mine. Awesome!!
Wow! Sounds like it was very eye opening. I really think that food has a huge affect on so many things that we don’t realize. Congrats on a sensible approach to a very restrictive challenge. And, it’s great to see that you were able to have treats and still see results.
Wow! You know that I already avoid soy but I didn’t realize what an impact grain has. Also, Abby (Back at Square Zero) said that here doctor had her on gluten free to help with her headaches. Now I’m wondering if I should give this a try. It sounds amazing. And that picture of you is fab!
First – you look fabulous! I have really been debating on trying this and the fact you feel like the fog was lifted almost immediately is enough to really try it! I recently went vegan and am loving it!
I’m intrigued, I’ll have to check out the book