Day 9 and my thoughts on "diets"

I logged onto Facebook this morning and most of my friends (who live in Iowa) have something in their status about snow. It's not news to anyone that I hate the cold, snow, and anything that isn't 70 and humid. I scurried to my handy dandy weather app (God bless technology) and found that there is no snow coming my way. This made me instantly happy. There's nothing better than waking up happy. Also, that was me just admitting that when I wake up, the first thing I do is check Facebook.

This morning's workout was amazing. I've decided to drop my pre-workout supplements and take on the all-natural route. There really is no reason behind this, but I know that my body gets accustomed to all of the extra help I give it, and I like to see what my actual genetic potential is from time to time. If you've been living on pre and post workout supplements, try quitting for a few weeks. It might be a huge pain in the ass at first, but if you decide to start back up again, it kicks even better. (Ya'll might know this as cycling)

Shoulders used to be my least favorite thing to lift because they were so weak. They are easily one of the most fun things now. Funny how that works. I do 2-3 sets of 8 reps because I lift heavy on shoulders, every time. It's the only way man, the only way. Also, I pair shoulders with abs and calves, because I spend next to no time on either of those things.

Arnold press
Alternating Dumbbell press
Lateral Raises
Shoulder Press
Rear deltoid raises
Walking dumbbell punches (I think I made those up, but I love them)
Standing calf raise
Calf raises on leg press machine
GHD situps until you throw up (that's really the count)

Breakfast was simple simple: 2 eggs, coconut oil, kale, spinach, and broccoli. Broccoli was really good today so I ate 1/2 a head of it.

Midafternoon will be amazing, because I just finished roasting a buttercup squash. Squash is my favorite thing ever. It's low calorie, but contains some dense carbs, which are perfection for replenishing dreary sore muscles. Butternut, acorn, kabocha, pumpkin, buttercup, spaghetti....it's like Pokemon, gotta have em' all.

Last night I got to thinking about diets. People ask me all of the time how I like being on the Paleo diet, which irritates me. Paleo is not a diet. I don't count my calories, I don't have a list of restrictions, and there isn't a point/reward system. Paleo is a lifestyle focused on eating wholesome, real food. People were meant to eat real food, so as far as I know, that's not much of a diet.
The word "diet" implies that you are restricting yourself from something, which has a negative connotation. If you eat something "forbidden" on your diet, it causes feelings of disgust, depression, and all of the other negative words one can feel about themselves. Not okay. Paleo is about feeling better, not...badder?
There are articles everywhere supporting whatever "diet" you think is best. No carbs? Fine, go Atkins. Meat is bad? Vegan. Every diet claims they're the most effective and will be the best for your health. Truth is, each person is different. I hate when articles tell me how many grams of ______ to have per day. I'm going to eat them when I feel like I need them, because I listen to my body, and I hope everyone will begin to listen to theirs.

Granted, I know many people still want numbers, facts, and something written for them that says exactly when/how/what/where? to eat, but you gotta do it for you.

As for me, I'm sticking with my lifestyle, because real food isn't about restriction, it's about opening yourself up to thousands of plants, animals, and ridiculously happy times.