On December 1, I embarked on (yet another) food journey with our flagship “Swim Bike Food” group.  The Expert (and the kids, by default) came along for the ride.

As I always say, “I’m just one bad day away from a large pizza and a 12 pack of beer”—-and this may still be true—-but at least I think that I might stop there—on that one bad day—- instead of making it one bad year.

[Go ahead and shield your eyes.  You know I love a good progress picture… and I have no problem posting them. I know, it’s embarrassing. But really, at this point… I don’t mind.]

26 Days Later, here’s where I am:

1.  I have been about 98% compliant with clean eating. I did have a substantial few cheat foods yesterday, on Christmas Day. Otherwise, I have been true to:  whole foods, meats, veggies, limited fruits, no dairy, no added sugar, no alcohol. ( I did not have to give up coffee. Thank goodness.)

2. My workouts are amazing.  I feel better. I am faster. I am recovering better.

3.  Nice side effect (but not the whole focus) is the weight loss. I am down 12 pounds from my Dec 1 weight.  (Yes, the Ironman ONE-derland was long gone at the start of this!)

I kind of look like someone just opened a valve and deflated me 12 pounds… which I guess is true.  🙂

26 Days

[My first reaction to these pictures was to cringe. But it was short-lived.  For this body may not be perfect, but this body has completed an Ironman.  So you’re damn right that I am going to work on loving it!]

Interestingly, this time it’s not just about the weight loss, because I still have a ways to go… Still, it’s so much more.

4. I am sleeping like a princess.  As a historically raging insomniac, to me, this is the best part of cutting out all of the bad food and drink. I sleep so well, I fall asleep easier than ever, and I wake up rested.

5. My skin has cleared up. I usually have very dry, very itchy skin – and eating this well has cleared that up. Completely.

6. The biggest success I can attribute to this way of life is learning to face my problems instead of shoving things into my face to fix or avoid said problems.

At first, it’s not pretty.

Who likes to really deal with issues? NO one. Issues suck.

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Sitting down at 9:30pm after a full 17 hour work & family day, and feeling the quiet and silence without cookies or a big glass of wine is interesting.

But I find that I am very tired—so I go to bed.  Or I want to read a book—even though my eyes are exhausted. So I read, then sleep hard and wake up well.

(Seriously, the Expert looks like he is disappearing! Men!!)

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Headed out for a run on Christmas. That ALONE is a big change!

But I can say that eating this way will continue in our house, and I will continue to work through these issues —and be healthier in the process.

I can honestly say, for the first time in my life, I am truly understanding why I have struggled with food all these years.

The answers aren’t pretty.  But at least I finally understand the reason.  And knowing the why makes all the difference. I want to be healthy now. SO I can live a full life. For my daughter, so she can see what healthy is, not just for the sake of vanity—but so she can run and play and LIVE.  For my son, so he can feel well and play hard.  For my husband, so we can grow old and crotchety together — healthy.

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Taking a marriage—where the base of it is food and wine and partying—and narrowing that down to reading books and drinking tea is quite a process too.  But it’s been good for our marriage as well—the Expert and I are on the same page.

Finally, I am learning that progress is a good thing.

That rushing to “perfection” is stupid. For one, because clearly, perfection is impossible, but secondly, because it just negates ALL THE GOOD that happens somewhere in between.

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The long, slow road of progress is the only one paved with real lessons and true successes.

Thank you all for listening and sharing my journey.  For those of you in the December group, I am so thankful for you. You ALL have taught me so much AND come so far—each of you! I am so proud to be a part of your lives —and I am looking forward to continuing on!

Wishing all of you an amazing 2014!

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(Oh, and by the way… here’s the Expert (down 14 pounds!)

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If you are interested in joining me (and many others) on a new food journey, you can find more information here: https://www.swimbikemom.com/swim-bike-food

13 Responses

  1. Yiu are so inspiring. …thank you for your gritty honesty…helps me stop the internal body bash and look at me…beautifully. …and making food changes. ..

  2. GREAT work, Meredith! The 9:30 pm time was hard for me, too–I always felt like “BUT WHAT DO I DO?!?!” But I’m also convinced that cutting down on the “after kiddo is in bed snack” was the kick in the pants my body needed to finally shed some extra weight.

  3. You look fantastic! Great job and I’m delighted to read about the “added benefits” of better sleep, skin, etc. I’m not ready to go the Whole 9 route with no dairy and legumes, but today is Day 1 of my wheat detox, a la, Wheat Belly.

  4. You’re rockin in Merideth 🙂 this month has been challenging at times but I wanted to thank you for taking us on your little journey with you. The December group has been great and I can’t wait to see all the changes that come with yor new group!

  5. You both look so fit and healthy!! For the first time in my life I went for a run on Christmas Day and just had the most blissful, grateful, peaceful time. Then returned to cook the dinner whilst still in run gear and remained that way all day. You and your army have changed my life SBM, much love x

  6. I always feel the same way when I clean up my diet – like I’ve deflated. I lose so much inflammation and water weight.

    (Plus, I pee nonstop for the first week. Oof.)

  7. I really admire your brave-ness and honesty, well done once again. I started the grain-free, dairy free life today for improved athleticism, sleep, skin and a smaller waist line (in that order!) so wish me luck!

  8. Congrats Meredith!!! I’m so happy for you 🙂
    The change not only shows in your whole body, but also shows in your attitude and your face 🙂
    Keep it up!

  9. WOW!!!! Great job, an inspiration to say the least. I am starting a no sugar/no processed foods (more plant based) – well, I started yesterday. For the past several years I have looked to you for inspiration and the willingness to put it all out there. Thanks!

  10. That’s a lot of progress for just 26 days! Keep it up, because you know it’s worth it.
    I can relate to your post, to making a change, to feeling the positive side effects (and effects!) of making an effort.
    And to all of a sudden realize that eating healthy and working out is important not to look your best, but to feel your best. Priceless.

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