So Strong!

I can’t believe the profound difference the Whole 30 has made for me. Energy is high, I am at peace with food, and my strength…oh my! I am closing in on my 50 military push-up goal, with my best being 47., Ryan, my husband, said that when he was in the Army his best was 75, and I am contemplating making that my new goal once I complete 50. That is kind of daunting, though, as I am really struggling around 47.

Today, while playing soccer with Ryan and Colson (and lighter on my feet than ever), I tried a pull-up on the soccer goal. Keep in mind that my Dad called me Grace as a child for a reason. My coordination is pretty poor for most new physical challenges, even a pull-up. If only I could be more like Ryan, whose movements are powerful and poetic.

I have NEVER completed a pull-up and it wasn’t due to lack of trying. Until today. I did a Marine pull-up (palms facing away), not some wimpy normal one (palms facing me), according to Ryan. I was floored. I stretched up, grabbed on, and amazingly, I went up! What the heck?!!

I was so shocked that I stood there in disbelief and tried it again, and up I went again! Then I tried a third time and grabbed something sharp, so we moved to the playground equipment. At the playground I did three more single pull-ups, still amazed. No aches in the joints and I just went up! Then I tried a normal pull-up and they are easier.

I don’t know how many I can do, as I had to stop and acknowledge my accomplishment after each one…and eventually some skin ripped off of my hand, preventing me from doing more. Fortunately, I was able to take on a few Colson and Ryan monkey bar challenges before pushing my hands too far.

In another day or two I will know how many I can do before exhaustion. I may be reaching high, but I am hoping for three Marine pull-ups. It is funny – I chose those over normal pull-ups because I learned those first and my less than graceful self has imprinted on them.

At age 45, I am stronger than my late 20s or early 30s when I was spending two hours a day in the gym working out with heavy weights and running or biking. I now spend 20 minutes every other day strength training with no weights other than the weight caused by different uses of my body, and 35 to 45 minutes every other day interval training with my dog. Poor girl – as I get faster my dog’s walk time decreases.

We started the Whole 30 on August 13, 2011 (see The Whole 30 Begins Today) and today is Day 54. I can’t believe how dramatically improved my little family’s health is in just 54 days…and we were already among the healthiest.

What could 54 days mean for you? If you live to be 75, that is just 0.2 percent (0.002) of your life. A new life in 54 days in exchange for 0.2 percent of your time.

Comments

[Niti]

This is so hilarious, I stopped wearing glasses because I read that we absorb most of our vitamin D thru our eyes and now I don't need them at all. Before I was extremely light sensitive and now my eyes are perfect in the sun. I only wear my shades ON THE BEACH when we are out by the water most of the day. I may put them on when driving long distances (like from here to NJ) and I feel drowsy. I notice as I become fatigued by long drives I squint more and need the glasses to help.