So, I have a confession to make. There have been few days in the past three weeks that I have not felt great. I was sore, achy, and generally run-down. I chalked it up to being only three weeks postpartum and adjusting to the new zone defense Tom and I are playing in the game of parenting. Then I completed my first week of the 30-Day Protein Challenge…
The first week of the protein challenge asks nothing more of you than to keep a journal including your food intake and how you feel each those seven days. On the recommendation of a few fellow protein challengers, I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app, and went to work setting up my profile which includes things like age, gender, height, weight, activity level, and of course fitness goals (i.e. are you in it to lose, gain, or maintain). From there, I started logging everything I consumed, right down to the seven – yes, seven – key-lime cupcakes I ate on Monday. In addition to logging my eating habits, I also kept track of negative calories, more commonly known as exercise and breastfeeding.
MyFitnessPal say, Not. Enough. Protein.
I’m not going to lie, when I started the protein challenge, I went in with the idea that it would simply be a great tool to help me shed the pregnancy pounds. Boy was I ever wrong! After one week of some pretty comprehensive journaling, it is apparent that this is less about weight loss and more about proper nutrition. Turns out, I have not been meeting my total daily caloric intake needs, drinking enough water, or getting near enough protein to keep up with everything I have been asking my body to do.
All things considered, it is really no wonder I’ve had a few days where I didn’t feel too whippy. Needless to say, I am no longer interested in “getting back down to my fightin’ weight,” but rather maintaining a healthy weight. My goals have shifted and are now focused on getting enough protein to help me stay healthy, feed my newborn, and keep me energized so I can man my zone.
Week two of the protein challenge is about reflection and planning. Stay tuned in the coming week for the adjustments I will be making and quite possibly a brand new beefy recipe!
If you would like to join me in the challenge and receive daily motivation, tips, tricks, recipes, and inspiration, it is not too late. Simply click here and watch your inbox for an email starting at day one on the 30-Day Protein Challenge!
Hello! I’m Terryn – the wife, mother, food safety enthusiast, Stormy Kromer fanatic who has slightly (okay, a lot) random tendencies, dabbles in photography, and shares (maybe a little too much) here at FFB.