I’m at mile 26 of this AutoImmune Protocol marathon. The end is clearly in sight and I’m on track for a strong finish. Let’s call it whatever the equivalent of a BQ is in the AIP world. The road was a tough one, but the fact that I needed to be 100% all-in actually helped me get my head around it. So much for that “everything in moderation” thing everyone talks about. Before I get to the details, here’s how the week’s workouts went.
Monday: Rest, Plank Challenge
Tuesday: Run 3 miles, Plank Challenge
Wednesday: Strength, Balance, Mobility, Plank
Thursday: Run 3 miles (lighting the world on fire, I know) +Plank
Friday: Plyo Intervals + Plank
Saturday: Rest (flute concierge duties) Plank
Sunday: Heavy Strength + Stepmill + Plank
The AIP diet is completely routine by now, although by routine, I don’t mean easy. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about a slice of pizza, a scrambled egg or just one of the little PB hearts I packed in a recent college care package. I feel amazing though. The sluggishness and brain fog are gone. I have more energy, mental clarity and much improved mood. I never over eat or have indigestion, not that I had a ton before, but there was some and now zero. I’ve enjoyed over 10 lbs of weight loss, and 2″ worth of stubborn belly fat has vanished from my waist. No amount of intermittent fasting could ever budge that and here I am eating MORE calories and exercising LESS. Think about that for a second. Note: I’m not suggesting IF doesn’t work for anyone, because it does. However, it was not the magic bullet for me.
This week I’ll have a blood test to determine if my thyroid antibodies did indeed retreat.
I’ll start reintroducing food groups this week, but it makes me nervous too. While the AIP diet is not a long-term option (and a royal PIA), I know I can’t slip back into my old ways either. After scrutinizing labels like it’s my job, I realize now more than ever how much total crap is in the standard American diet (SAD). Something as seemingly innocent as organic chicken or veggie stock typically has unhealthy oils hiding in it. Why??
Loving
We had some snow this week but overall we continue to be milder than normal weather-wise in Chicago. I’m still able to navigate the trails and the sun actually feels WARM! I also appreciate that it’s still broad daylight here after 5pm.
Did somebody say walk?
Doggy Day Out. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with the love of a dog? Doggy Day Out is a human-animal wellness program that invites you to get active with area shelter animals. Take them out for a walk, a hike, a meal in a pet-friendly restaurant, even a sleepover! Learn more about the program here.
Valentine’s Day special on FunRunBox. I told you about this here. Save 20% off your first box with HEART20.
Not Loving
My Dad fell again. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out but then admitted due to something about his kidneys. I’ll find out more today when I visit him. Any positive thoughts are welcome.
ZOOMA Bermuda. Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE that I’m heading to Bermuda this week! What I don’t love is that I am zero per cent trained to run, unless you call 3 mile runs training. Whatever, I’m there to work and enjoy myself, and enjoy I will!
How was your week? Any races coming up? Any Valentine’s Day plans? Will/did you watch the Oscars?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
I’m loving that you are heading to Bermuda. Planning on fun. And adding a race there somewhere. Lol.
Looking forward to reconnecting
Congrats Marcia! You worked so hard and now you get the payoff. Enjoy Bermuda! I runfess that I can’t wait to read about everyone’s adventures there and I’ve got a big case of FOMO.
I had to laugh because only us fitness types would put “rest” and “plank challenge” on the same day. 🙂
Yes, you deserve a medal for the 100% AIP! I have to do a very limited diet right now for a medical issue and it’s tough in social situations…so much explaining. Enjoy Bermuda!
You really have done an excellent job with AIP diet and I love that you have seen so many benefits from it!
So sorry to hear about your dad 🙁 Sending him all the healing vibes for a quick recovery.
Sending you so many positive thoughts about your Dad. Been there, done that, way too many times. 🙁
That’s always the hard part – not slipping back into old ways. And it always happens to some degree. Good luck finding the right balance!
Earlier in the week it was somewhat warm — why oh why didn’t i do my long run then? Hindsight. Blech. Although it’s been sunny & not windy the last couple of days so it really wasn’t too bad.
Enjoy Bermuda — I know you will!
So proud of you for completing the AIP protocol. You are a stronger woman than I! Most of what I’ve learned has been by trial and error. I’m still having symptoms this week so I’m not entirely sure it’s my diet. This disease is really an enigma. But the healthy eating is a win no matter what, right?
So jealous about Bermuda! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
a half marathon in Bermuda sounds amazing right now. Hope it goes well.
Sending prayers for your dad. XO
Congratulations on making it to nearly the end of your AIP diet- 10 pounds! That’s incredible.
Sorry about your dad’s fall. That sounds tough.
Have an amazing time in Bermuda!
Way to finish that AIP protocol strong and feeling so good. Sorry to hear about your dad and hope that he is ok. You totally got this Bermuda thing. As you know, I was not trained for my half today and I survived better than expected. Everything hurts and my feet hate me but I am still standing. You are in great shape and I know you will make it too
You are my AIP here, Marcia!!! You likened it to a marathon, well it would be more like a 50K ultra to me (at the barest of minimums). Sorry to hear about your father….hope you get good news. Have fun in Bermuda!
I am sorry to hear about your dad. I hope you get good news today. That is awesome for completing the AIP diet. 10 lbs and 2 inches from the waist is great. And I agree that a lot of what we eat is crap. I am guilty of it. Have a great time in Bermuda. I am also loving that it is still daylight later than usual.
Congratulations on completing the AIP diet! I really admire the way you took this on – and 10 pounds and 2 inches is a nice bonus! I hope the re-introduction goes smoothly.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. Sending lots of good thoughts!!
Congrats on following through with the AIP diet. It’s crazy how much we think is healthy is really just full of junk. I was just talking to a patient who thought Healthy Choice meals were healthy because the name said so! I hope your dad is doing ok. Enjoy Bermuda! I love it there!
Mile 26 of the AIP diet! What a good comparison. It’s amazing that you lost weight and belly fat while eating more and exercising less! I’d feel nervous, too, about introducing new food groups. I’m sure you’ll conquer that challenge as well.
I hope it’s nothing serious with your dad. Sending lots of good thoughts!
Enjoy Bermuda! It will be a blast! Looking forward to your post about it.
I’m so glad you saw so many positive effects from your protocol! At least everything you did was worth it. Hopefully you can figure out a long term plan. Sorry to hear about your dad! Hope he is ok. Have fun in Bermuda!
Holy WOW!!! You lost 10 pounds? That is truly amazing my friend – I have been gone too long. So glad this diet has worked for you and I hope you can reintroduce foods without gaining or feeling anything but GOOD about yourself. Sorry to hear about your dad – that has to be scary and, of course, now you’re leaving town. Ah, life. Hope you can enjoy Bermuda and get though the race in one piece – LOL!!
Sorry to hear about your Dad — hope the kidney issue is easy to treat. Bermuda sounds awesome right about now. I’m so glad all your efforts to follow the diet paid off. I get feeling apprehensive adding foods back, and hope that goes well too. I’m with you on the frustration with American diets. I’m really pissed about the adivce my husband is finding on low-oxalate diets — he’s going all-in on eating refined carbs because they are low in oxalate. 🙁
Congrats on AIP success. That’s amazing.
While Jillian Michaels makes me many kinds of crazy, she’s right about the state of American “food”, but I still love me those PB hearts.
Can’t wait to meet you in a few days
Hppe your dad is OK
really curious if the AIP helped you! looking forward to hearing the results. Also, don’t worry about Bermuda. You’ve done harder things 🙂
sorry to hear about your dad. lots of super speedy health vibes coming his way. x
Bermuda will be fun, even if you’re undertrained. Just focus on the fun part!! You deserve it…
Sending thoughts of healing to your Dad.
I am so glad you got such great results from your AIP diet. I know it’s been hard but you did great.
Bermuda is going to be amazing and I love that Doggy Day Out. I want to hang with all the pups!
No huge Valentine’s plans. I have PT. Mr. PugRunner said he is going to make a parmesan garlic risotto for dinner at home and then we will just chill. The boys have a big hike for Scouts in the morning, so we will be chill on the 14th. Additionally, I hope to go to the movies with them this weekend.
Way to stick to the diet. It’s hard with other people in the house. Hopefully your blood tests will show it was worth it – although knocking off 10 pounds is certainly something to be happy about! Sorry to hear about your dad – hopefully things will get better quickly.
Congrats on finishing up the diet! It sounds like such a challenge.
I”ve never been to Bermuda! I”ll have to come back to see if you liked it.