Starting out

The intent of this blog is to explore the techniques and attain my goal of an ideal healthy, lean body. The basis on which I'll achieve this body is a paleo diet, but the specific macronutrient makeup of that diet, and how I'll regulate it, need to be determined.

Exercise is also a key component of building my body, and I'll study and experiment with a variety of exercise modalities along the way. The key to the physical movement component of all of this must be, ultimately, long-term sustainability. For example, a regimen built around 4 hours of daily endurance or high-intensity exercise is less realistic and sustainable than one that incorporates constant lower-intensity, functional movement throughout the day.

Where I'm starting from:
Regarding fitness, I know that I need regular moderate- to high-intensity cardio exercise to help maintain a positive mood, and some sort of strength/conditioning regimen is important to help sculpt the body I want. Walking is a meditative exercise and a long-time passion of mine, and I will continue to incorporate that whenever possible. The type of cardio and strength exercises that I decide to pursue are yet to be determined.

As for diet, I am committed to following a Whole30 approach to diet, beginning immediately. This will be my "reset" to remind me what real food is, and how my body functions when I fuel it appropriately. However, because of health issues, a more customized Whole30 will be necessary -- and it will be rather similar to the carnivorous diet described by Peggy Emch of The Primal Parent, with the addition of some vegetables (mostly guacamole and kale for snacks; onions, red peppers, and limes for flavor; I'll limit the red peppers and tomatoes to avoid aggravating a sensitivity to nightshades). Dairy, gluten, grains, legumes, sugars, artificial sweeteners (including drink mixes and gums, even post-meal!!!), caffeine (including decaf coffee), and any other processed food is entirely prohibited. For the most part, I will attempt to choose lower-fat options, rather than eating spoonfuls of oil as I have in the past; but I recognize that a significant amount of healthy fats is important, and relative to a SAD I will still be eating a high-fat diet. Also, I will keep in mind portion sizes, as I have let these get out of control. Finally, I will incorporate intermittent fasting 2-3 times/week, skipping one or two meals as hunger dictates. Otherwise, I'll eat small breakfasts and lunches most days, finishing with a larger dinner.

My body composition at present is more muscular than I ultimately want. I would like my shoulders, arms, and legs (particularly calves) to all be somewhat less muscular; jumping from dance has made my ankles and knees thicker, and I recall that they were thinner when I was a runner. I also want to lose some of the fat all over my body, obtaining a soft shape to my arms, abs, and legs so that muscles are visible but appear feminine; at present, my arms have a masculine look and my legs have the shape of a sprinter. My abs look like those of a weightlifter.

Essentially, I have both more muscle and more fat on my entire body than I want, and my goal is to find a sustainable, non-tortuous lifestyle that helps me obtain what I'm looking for and maintain it year-round without fighting hunger or energy levels, or encountering time constraints and added stress, on a daily basis.

Today's weight: 117 lb
Goal weight: 105 lb

Plan for Tuesday, May 22:
Exercise:
Tracy Anderson DVD (2 segments, hipcentric 1.2)
Walk to work (3.8 mi)
Easy walk at lunch
BFC
Walk home from studio (1.5 mi)

Diet:
B: sardines (1/2 tin, ~200 cal)
L: sardines (1/2 tin, ~200 cal)
D: Melissa Joulwan's chocolate chili (the chocolate is 100% unsweetened cocoa, contains no sugar)