Going Paleo

Two items on my list, going Paleo and joining a Cross Fit gym are there because of a friend of mine that I’ve had since, holy hell, 2002. Bridget and I met when I moved back to California after college. We worked together in the ever fascinating marketing department at a mortgage company. We spent a lot of time at that job talking and laughing, mostly about our cats and how hysterical they could be. Oh, and we did a little bit of work, too. Bridget was, even then, probably one of the healthiest people I knew. A foodie, a wine lover, and traveling junkie, her and her husband Ray I can say to this day are two people I would be honored to live my life like. They set a sky diving record; have traveled to more of my bucket list places than I’ll ever hope to get to, are advocates for animal rights, own their own businesses, and moved from Chicago to Huntington Beach, California to Atlanta and now are in San Francisco.

Via the beauty of social networks and email, I have remained in touch with Bridget. While in Atlanta they opened a Cross Fit gym and became advocates for the Paleo lifestyle. In 2004 I started a personal journey toward living a healthier lifestyle. I lost and have kept off 30 pounds (with an admitted up and down here and there).  However, the thing that has nagged me has been those last stubborn 10 pounds. I spoke to Bridget about my list and told her going Paleo for a week was on my list. She told me give me 30 days and I promise you’ll lose those 10 pounds. I put a week on my list because I didn’t want to set myself up for failure, however, there is a wedding in September I am attending and I’d love to have those 10 pounds gone by then. So, I’ll up the anti and give Bridget her 30 days and I will begin on Aug. 15.  I know, I know, every diet begins on Monday, or so people say, and then they never start. But, in my defense I have to clean out my pantry and refrigerator, go grocery shopping and pull down some recipes if I’m really going to commit to this. Something tells me the hardest part will be NOT putting creamer in my coffee.

I didn’t intend for this journey into Paleo to be so sappy, but, Bridget truly is someone I look up to (granted she’s only 2 years older than me!) Although I understand her life isn’t perfect, she lives it with a zest that I wish others would embrace. I am taking steps to embrace that zest…although something tells me there may be A LOT of curse words along the way to said zest.