Day 6

Yesterday went somewhat well.  It is strange - I pretty much feel good, but I just don't have any strength or real energy.  I was excited about the Deadlift workout - I thought it would be good, but then I got there and the warm up was wearing me out!  I did one lift 30 lbs less than what my Max Lift was just last week, and that was it.  The rest of them were 50 lbs LESS than last week's max.  It was horrible.  I got home and felt like I have felt when I fast - burned out, no fuel in the tank, totally empty!!!

I had a good dinner of Pot Roast with a salad and a few grapes, and a paleo walnut cookie.  That gave me enough energy to last through the movie (we saw The Hangover), but by the time we got home at 10:30 pm I totally crashed!  

This lack of energy is frustrating.  I am eating a bunch - lots of protein, fruit (mostly in the am), veggies and healthy fats.  In fact, I'm rarely even hungry because I'm eating well.  I'm even trying to keep my meals and snacks well balanced between the protein, carbs and fats.  But, like this morning - I didn't have time before leaving for my run to eat a full meal so I just grabbed a bowl of fruit.   It helped - I had a pretty good run.  I didn't push it and wasn't shooting for PRs.  I was just trying to run  a "15 RPE" effort.  (Rate of Perceived Exertion), and I ended up averaging a total of 10 min miles for 4 miles, but my last mile was pretty decent at a 8:52 pace.  So, I did have some energy and felt okay but that felt like a 17 or 18 effort, which is pretty sad considering how well I've been running.

Then by the end of the run, that was it - no more energy.  On the drive home I started to nod off a couple of times.  When I got home I changed out of my sweaty clothes, threw on something dry and climbed back in bed (yes, that's nasty) and slept for TWO hours!!!!  I am NOT enjoying this part of the Paleo.  

Its aggravating to have such low energy because other than the weakness, I feel pretty good.  It hasn't been too horrible going without the sodas - its hard, but easier than I anticipated.  I have noticed some great body changes - I dropped at least 4 lbs, I can see more muscle definition, and my skin feels great.  Now if my body can just do it's thing and start using fat for fuel instead of only the immediate stuff I've eaten I'll be great.  I've always known that was a problem for me.

With all the running I've been doing the last 10 years, I've still carried excess body fat even during the times I've eaten better (or less).  It is like my body has no clue how to dip in to fat stores for fuel because even while training for marathons I would still put ON body fat where most people would be shedding it!  I figure it goes back to a childhood of eating like crap and being chubby.  I was never athletic back then so how could my body learn to work the way it needed to during high activity.

I just hope this month of Paleo changes that to a certain extent.  I don't want to do this to become some scrawny anorexic chick....so this isn't about losing weight.  Its just about getting healthier, having my body work right, getting stronger and more fit, and getting some nice muscle definition.  So, I'm still plugging along and hoping for the best....but something has to change soon!!!