Count Down to Coaching: The Whole 28.5

The Whole 28...and a Half Challenge

October 11th - November 13th

The past few weeks have been quite the whirlwind of opportunity, enthusiasm, and crazy-ideas. That might seem nice and fluffy, but I won't lie: sometimes it's the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night and makes my head hurt with frustration at how slow the timelines of progress can travel. Luckily, in my personal experience, I find additional challenges are the greatest motivator to keep TRUCKING!

Entering my 4th week of shadowing to join the ranks of the superbly awesome coaches at CrossFit Novem as a fledgling Bootcamp coach, I am entirely stoked to get started. Fall is often a  good Yoga-season (school's in full swing, pre-holiday madness, etc), so I say, "let's bring on the good times!" at the wonderful Pacific Yoga Studio. But this is a bit of a "limbo" time waiting. WOOOOOOF.  I say "PHOOEY to waiting. Rachel, you're going to use this time to amp up your game. To get stronger, happier, and just all-around more baller."

With that, I give you The Whole 28 and a Half Challenge. 

 



So we've all heard of them: Paleo Challenge, Whole 30, Zone Diet. And I'm pretty sure many of us have done them in the past. And hopefully, when you need a reboot (HEY! Maybe right now, with me!), you'll do one again! This is the home-stretch to the holidays, I solid span of time without mind and schedule-melting commitments, so Hell, why not? Let's batten down the hatches on our diets for 30 days (well, really it's 34, so we can end joyfully on a Friday!). Just about 5 measly weeks: we can so do that.

Here's my catch: I'm a real person. I work 3 jobs. I have a social life--I'm no wild party animal, but Halloween is coming and Date Night, etc. I have plans and work to do. I'm not looking to add stress to this already overcommitted life with deprivation and grumpy withdrawal. Been there, done that.

BUT HOLD UP, "Rachel...didn't you say this was a challenge??" Oooh yes, kiddos, it shall be. 

This will be challenging, but it will be uplifting, it will be funny, it will be inventive. And since I  know myself, there will be a handful of "Food Sanity Modifications" (FSM for short!) to keep me from getting to those moments where quitting is far more appealing than making myself "suffer" through it. If you are joining in or following along, feel free to also include these FSMs to your plan, or go ahead without them and give it the whole Shebang! Go HAM if you will: I'll want to hear about it!

So here it is,

"The Whole 28 and a Half: My Count Down to Coaching Reboot Plan."

Aligned with the basic tenants of the Whole30 Program (credit where credit it due!), we begin with the following rules:

Yeeeeeeeeah, about that...

So let me begin by saying, this isn't going to be a lengthy list of Rule Breakers. Here are the Three--count 'em THREE--Food Sanity Modifications (FSM).

Number 1 - 

This isn't a free-for-all call to be an alcoholic during the Whole 28.5, but this is a reality check. I'm simply providing an allowance for the day when you just HAVE to unwind. That birthday party where you are more than allowed to toast the homie-of-honor. The big family dinner where Uncle Stuben brings out his home-brew he's been working on forever.

FSM #1. You are allowed two alcoholic beverages A WEEK. And note: you do NOT have to have 2 drinks. You don't fail the challenge if you don't get in your two whiskey sours, so don't think you have to chug every Sunday night! This is an allowance if /when necessary.

I'd say try to stick with your Gluten-Free or low-gluten, low-sugar alcohols...but this is already a Rule Breaker, so I'm not going to choose your booze.

- Number 2

Let me reiterate, that I'm not offering any of us a free pass to run amuck with this one. But no dairy might actually kill me. So here it is:

FSM #2: Greek yogurt or sour cream. THAT'S IT! I'm going to limit myself to the availability of one of these options, just once a day. Meaning, if I eat my yogurt for breakfast...well, then I'm out of yogurt or sour cream luck for the rest of the day!

The end. This will surely assist me through the inevitable sweets craving and when I need to make my own condiments (<-- future post hint!)

Number 3 - 

The final FSM comes down to the sassy exclamation: "Live yo life!"

FSM #3. During the Whole 28.5, we are allowed two Freebie days. These are for you to design and enjoy at your disposal. That's 2 out of 34 days.

And you know why this is okay? Because, you will live with the consequences of feeling like poop the next day if you really go insane. Or, you will plan your week accordingly to work in this Freebie day, and you will work hard the day after to get back in line. Once again, you DO NOT have to participate in these days. Last note: This timeframe includes Halloween...just sayin.'

THAT'S IT!!

This might feel like a lot to digest (hehe, see what I did there!), so take time and let it sink in if you would like to join! For those nitty-gritty questions and concerns about what is "allowed" (besides the 3 FSMs), I would point you to either the Whole30 Program Rules--which are mighty thorough--or if you've got some time on your hands, borrowed from CrossFit Portsmouth, here is a 14 PAGE PDF giving you the lowdown on all things Paleo.

Starting this Sunday, October 11th, I will be posting my nonsense about this whole journey, from rants on how it's going, recipe posts to keep things interesting, photo-logs of the Pinkstone-Redden Household Weekly Meal Prep, experiments on making my own condiments and forcing Scott to eat it,  we'll discuss and track our macros, and much more! I'll also share our workout regime of lifting, Bootcamp/CrossFit and Yoga because filler is good. ;)

In preparation for the challenge, join me for the next update where I will post mortifying photos of myself and share some numbers that I never admit publicly!

-Be cool, Soda Pop.