Primal Challenge Week 1

For those of you that know me, you know that I'm a big fan of Primal or Paleo eating. Since I'm starting the second phase of my year, and Mark's Daily Apple was starting his Primal Challenge on the same day, I thought I would give it a go. Check it out here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-blueprint-health-challenge/#more-6097

Here are my goals, and my journal for week 1:

Goals:

1. Reduce bodyfat to 5.0%
2. Limit grains, dairy, alcohol to 1x/day
3. Limit diet soda and sugar to 1x/week
4. 1hr daily without cell phone, e-mail, etc.
5. Perform strength/core work 3x/week.

Monday (8/3):
B - Protein Shake w/ banana
S - trail mix & cherries
L - Salad w/ grilled salmon
S - green drink, fish oil, trail mix
D - Grilled chicken, vegetables, brussel sprouts, strawberries (w/ ice cream), 1 glass wine
Workout - Bike: 2 x 20/5 at L4 power on the emotions in my 'new' basement!
Notes: took a nap in the hammock after work!

Tuesday (8/4):
B - Stinger Protein Bar & Banana
S - Energy drink/gels (on bike), Protein shake
L - Farm fresh eggs, organic chard, organic bison chorizo, cheese, potato, salsa
S - Green Drink w/ fish oil, handful of trail mix
D - Grilled pork chop, sweet potato, strawberries, 1 glass of wine.
Workout - Bike: 2.5hrs, climb up 151 to Mt. Pisgah and home, in the sun!
Notes: another 15 minute afternoon nap

Wednesday (8/5):
B - Protein shake w/ blueberries
S - Greek yogurt, blueberries, handful of homemade granola
L - Salad with sliced chicken, almonds, apple, Omega 3 raspberry vinaigrette
S - Green drink, fish oil, trail mix
D - Grilled salmon, sweet potato, salad
Workout - Bike: 1hr, 4 x 6/2 at LT 55rpm
Notes: I'm getting really good at these naps when I get home! Jackie (my dog) woke me up today though, by jumping up next to my head and barking!

Thursday (8/6):
B - Eggs w/ ham, cheese, green pepper, onion, bowl of berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
S - Hammer Bar & Diet Coke
L - Mixed green salad w/ corn, rotisserie chicken
S - Green drink, fish oil, trail mix
D - Date Night w/ Jess! Spinach salad, Ribeye (grass fed, free range of course), Salmon, Brussel sprouts, asparagus (Jess and I split each others), Local beer, Glass of wine, dark chocolate truffle (and for full disclosure I had a few bites of my wife's ice cream from Kilwin's downtown)
Workout - Cyclocore abs & hike w/ Jackie in Bent Creek
Notes: My 1hr w/o a cell phone today was in the woods . . . sweet

Friday (8/7):
B - Protein shake
S - Greek yogurt w/ blueberries, Latte
L - Mixed green salad w/ grilled salmon
S - Green drink, fish oil, trail mix
D - Turkey meatballs w/ carrot & broccoli mash: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/turkey-meatballs-with-broccoli-carrot-mash/ (oh and I'm drinking a beer right now: Highland Gaelic mmm . . .)
Workout - recovery ride in my new 'torture chamber' while watching Bill O
Notes: a nice 15 minute nap with my wife when I got home today

Saturday (8/8):
B - Honey Stinger Protein Bar & Blueberry scone from the Farmers' Market (not Primal!)
S - On bike: Energy drink/gels + recovery shake w/ Greens mix
L - Grilled veggie croissant from the Farmers' Market (I know, not Primal either, but everything else we got was!)
D - Sushi (there was some rice in there), 2 Highland Organic Cattail Peak Wheats, and a Liquid Truffle from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Workout - 3 hour mountain bike ride in Pisgah on my new bike - Hell Yeah! Check it out here: http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/QYPJDVN2TNEFXUBRLLVA3CDWBY
Notes: Read in the hammock, then a nap in between riding and dinner

Sunday (8/9):
B - Honey Stinger Protein Bar
L - Yogurt w/ blackberries and a bit of granola, Supergreen Drink (pre-ride meal)
S - On bike: Clif Bar + Energy drink/gels + recovery shake w/ Greens mix
D - Grass fed, free-range steak from Hickory Nut Gap Farm (http://www.hickorynutgapfarm.com/), homemade coleslaw, sweet potatoe wedges, watercress salad
Workout - 2 hour Road Ride, my favorite interval route: 3 repeats up the base of Mt. Pisgah
Notes: Yesterday and today were less than Primal. The weekend, plus working today kind of screwed me up, but no excuses. Not 'unhealthy', just not perfect. The goal this month is to get better!

You can see my journal entries here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/topic/larsen-primal-journal?replies=1#post-13238