how to prep for the Whole Life Challenge

Diz and I are starting the Whole Life Challenge on Saturday with our gym – Elevated CrossFit.

We will basically be eating a ton of lean meats and fish, eggs, veggies and fruit, and healthy fats. We will be cutting out all added sugar (real or substitute -see my Breaking Up With Equal post for reasons why), processed foods (aka “franken foods”), soy, soda, alcohol, and coffee creamer (*SOB*) among a long list of other things.

But this challenge is NOT about what we CAN’T have.
It’s about what we DO get to eat. It’s about CHANGING OUR LIVES for the better.
Learning first hand how foods can affect our health and performance in the gym. 

I’ve completely wiped our pantry clear of crap.
Last weekend I got rid of pancake mix, chips, syrup, chocolate syrup, splenda, and all my diet hot chocolate and crystal light mixes.
(Diz did restock some cereal – just for this week. We’ve had quite a few “last meals” for him. But it’s fine. I’m so happy he’s doing the challenge with me that I don’t even care what this week is like!)

 

I’ve gone shopping at Costco and Sprouts (formerly Sunflower Market).
I stocked up on meat – chicken, ground beef, ground turkey and tilapia.
I’ve got lots of fruit and veggies.
Enough almonds to feed all of Springville.
And coconut oil.  The biggest jar of coconut oil I’ve ever seen.
AND I bought ghee! aka dairy free butter. aka – freakin’ expensive dairy free butter.

 

I’ve stocked up on some Larabars (not pictured) and Primitive Fuels.
Remember when I won the iPad? Well, Jon from Primitive Fuels was awesome enough to send me (and Elevated CrossFit) some samples.
I’ve been saving (aka hoarding) them for the challenge.
The Primitive Fuels packs are awesome. Great jerky (turkey or beef) and raw nuts & dried berries.
They come in separate packs to keep the ingredients dry and avoid the wet, globby chunk that you can sometimes get from other paleo-type kits.
I’m somewhat of a jerky snob – being raised on Ford’s jerky and all, and I fully expected to hate the jerky in these packs. I was pleasantly surprised! It actually has really good flavor. I love taking them to work. It’s a great snack to get me through the afternoon and have enough energy to hit CrossFit after work and not die mid-WOD. 😉

I also bought some “Paleo” salad dressing and bars from Steve’s PaleoKits. But… after a little research (aka read the damn labels!) I saw that they all have honey in them. Which is technically a no-no for the Whole Life Challenge. So, I’ll be holding on to these and saving them for after the challenge. I’m sure the amount of honey is minimal, and I have no reservations about using them after the challenge is over. The amount of ingredients in the salad dressings is so minimal compared to traditional store bought brands.

If you’re doing the challenge, or a #Whole30 or a 30 day Paleo challenge – how do you prep? any tips for Diz and I?