Day 4: January 14th, 2016

Watch this incredible video from various paleo/primal experts for a boost of motivation:

{And please excuse any language...} 

Day 4 Agenda: 

1. Listen to your body. The first few days are tough coming off of that high carb diet. You might feel more hungry and very 'snacky' during this time, so for day 4, don't restrict yourself to a breakfast/lunch/dinner schedule. Eat when you are hungry, listen to your body! But, eat primal;) Remember how I also mentioned that once you get good at being a fat burning body you will be able to go longer without food? That said, later on we will practice random fasting from food to see how well our body is at fat burning:) You will be amazed!
2. Perform a MovNat workout {see below}.
3. Focus on your posture 24/7. As a nurse, I had developed upper back/neck pain on my left side. It became more constant and painful which brought me to the chiropractor. After the pain left, I stopped going. I bet you can guess what happened... It came back! I thought, "There has to be a better way than spending money on a chiropractor for the rest of my life!" So, I invested in minimalist shoes (barefoot shoes/five finger shoes), I walked barefoot often, and I focused on my posture after reading 'Becoming a Supple Leopard' by Kelly Starrett. After doing this for a week, my back/neck pain was gone. GONE! You have to try this...

So, from now on during this challenge, focus on your posture ALL THE TIME...including sleep posture. Throughout the day, stop and check your posture:

-Feet straight and below lungs.

-Squeeze your buttocks.

-Tighten your tummy by taking a deep breath and as you exhale tighten your abdomen and try to keep it that way.

-Use torque by pushing the outsides of your feet in the ground. You want to almost feel like you're only walking on the outsides of those feet!

-Chest slightly out and shoulders back. 

-Head facing forward and neck in neutral position {over spine}. 

Now for the sleep posture...

MovNat:
A couple years ago, my husband found something new to try for primal exercises:) This will be great for the parents out there with kids because the kids will love it! It's called MovNat. It looks silly {which is why the kids will love it}, there is pretty much no equipment required, and it is quick {which I'm sure YOU will love!}
Click here for a MovNat workout!

Meal/Snack Ideas:

Breakfast- sweet potato breakfast skillet with bacon

{pic and recipe from allergyfreealaska.com}

Try this recipe HERE!

Lunch- roasted cauliflower soup

{pic and recipe from elanaspantry.com}

Find this recipe HERE :) 

Dinner- sausage and cabbage

This is my easy, go-to meal when I don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen AND I love it!

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cabbage, cut thinly
• 1/2 onion, sliced into rings
• 1-2 packages of sausage, sliced ~1/2in thick pieces
• 3 Tbs water or stock
• salt/pepper
• butter/fat

Grease 9x11 baking dish with butter, fat or coconut oil. Put the cabbage and onions in the dish and mix with salt/pepper. Pour 3 Tbs of water or stock on top. Put a few dabs of butter or fat on top of cabbage. Add sausage on top. Cover with tin foil and put in oven at 350 degrees for 45min. Take tin foil off last 10-15min to brown some. Add more salt/pepper to taste and enjoy!

Dessert- twice baked sweet potatoes

 Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pecans recipe here.  
*Be sure to omit the coconut sugar.* 
It tastes just as good without it!

Take some notes!

-how did you increase your daily movement?

-movnat experience?

-posture successes/weaknesses/what to work on?

-relaxation techniques tried?
-energy level {POOR, AVERAGE, GREAT}?
-satisfaction level with meals?
-hunger level between meals?
-struggles?
-benefits?