I'm officially on the 5x/week schedule. 6 mos to go.
Yesterday I logged workout 40.21.2. That means 40th workout of the year, week 21 of workouts since I started at the end of October (really, that's all?? 21???) and the 2nd workout of the week. (If you've been wondering what all that means on my Foursquare check-ins, well there ya' go...)
I was actually looking forward to the WOD. 1 400m run, and 2x thru Sumo Deadlifts, Box jumps, & Pull ups. Nothing that made me say "Oh crap".
Allergies, fast food lunch (I know better... I was just lazy and craving fries), mediocre Hershey's chocolate, and staying up too late watching stupid Scandal (thru 2 seasons and I'm still not finding it to be as "OMG" as people had made it out to be), all part of the head game that made yesterday's effort feel like I was just starting out, carrying twice my weight.
Everything was slow. I even had the "I don't care what my time says. I'll finish it, but I'm not going to hurry. I'm going to be the last to finish anyway, so why does it even matter?" thoughts in my head.
I finished in 11:40. Eh, it was alright. I finished it. That's all I was doing.
I don't have a good reason for my mindset. I have excuses. There's a difference in those.
One accomplishment I did have was that I finally broke 100 lbs on my strength training. I hit 105# deadlifts. I could have tried more, but when I got the 105, I accepted that as enough.
And I just looked at today's WOD.
Shit.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Clearing the Path..Gotta Make Way...
These updates have been somewhat lacking... mental motivation has been null lately. Just not feeling inspired, inspiring, motivated to do much of anything but try to get re-adjusted and have some seriously needed downtime.
In the past 2.5 weeks I have
1. Gone to Chicago - it was cold, I was on my feet a lot, I ate my weight in carbs, drank that much, too, and enjoyed what I could about it. But in the end, it was work.
2. Sat on the couch.
3. Did 5x week crossfit (14.2 & 14. 3 in 1 week... wanted to make up the missed Games WOD, but I'm not competing at all, just wanted to do it for myself)
4.Tried to ignore the calls that never came, the multiple people I've been disappointed by. Lame.
5. Time change. Love the sunshine but my sleep schedule is crap. Staying up later, waking up earlier... Vicious.
6. Did a cleanse. Today is day 10. Tomorrow starts the metabolic restore, and "burn phase". This will be my poorest performing 24 day challenge since I started Advocare. My head just hasn't been in the game. No prep, no desire to cook, or go to the grocery store, but I made do with what I had.
7. Watched a LOT of Netflix. Finished House of Cards, Orange is the New Black & started watching Scandal. Kerry Washington's lips perplex me. I don't know where to focus when she's on screen. Very distracting, but I'm trying.
8. Made a banner for a friend that she should have had before I left for Chicago & I just got overwhelmed with my to-do list to get it done. But Friday night I knocked it out. It's really cute!
9. Got Nine Inch Nails / Soundgarden Tix for August.
10. Yesterday I signed up to do Crossfit 4x/week (5, including Saturday) for the next 6 months. In the summer. I really do have the best team of coaches and members supporting and helping me do this. This is the highlight of my year, being a part of this community. Life changing.
11. Got approved for 2 credit cards. Sucks when you can't get them b/c you pay everything in cash and have no debt, but you have to have them before they will let you buy a house. Dumbest system I've ever played in to, other than one I'm not talking about. (Vague much? Touche'!) But I want to buy a house, dammit! I'm tired of my apartment that I outgrew 5 years ago. And a want another dog, too!
12. Avoided the SXSW mess of people. I used to be more adventurous. Now I'm just old.
I'm sure there's more I can add to the list, but honestly, I'm just tired. I'm looking forward to upping my gym time. I'm looking forward to the KOKE FM music series being back out at the Nutty Brown in a couple weeks. I feel like I'm coming out of a fog, so I'm looking forward to getting to the other side of it all. I know getting my apartment in order, de-cluttering a bit, okay a LOT, and organizing my craft stuff, well that will be a big part of it.
Gotta clear the path. Gotta make way.
I'm itching to change more, do more, and get outside more, less time at home.
We'll see how that goes.
The wind might blow tomorrow. (i.e. probably).
In the past 2.5 weeks I have
1. Gone to Chicago - it was cold, I was on my feet a lot, I ate my weight in carbs, drank that much, too, and enjoyed what I could about it. But in the end, it was work.
2. Sat on the couch.
3. Did 5x week crossfit (14.2 & 14. 3 in 1 week... wanted to make up the missed Games WOD, but I'm not competing at all, just wanted to do it for myself)
4.Tried to ignore the calls that never came, the multiple people I've been disappointed by. Lame.
5. Time change. Love the sunshine but my sleep schedule is crap. Staying up later, waking up earlier... Vicious.
6. Did a cleanse. Today is day 10. Tomorrow starts the metabolic restore, and "burn phase". This will be my poorest performing 24 day challenge since I started Advocare. My head just hasn't been in the game. No prep, no desire to cook, or go to the grocery store, but I made do with what I had.
7. Watched a LOT of Netflix. Finished House of Cards, Orange is the New Black & started watching Scandal. Kerry Washington's lips perplex me. I don't know where to focus when she's on screen. Very distracting, but I'm trying.
8. Made a banner for a friend that she should have had before I left for Chicago & I just got overwhelmed with my to-do list to get it done. But Friday night I knocked it out. It's really cute!
9. Got Nine Inch Nails / Soundgarden Tix for August.
10. Yesterday I signed up to do Crossfit 4x/week (5, including Saturday) for the next 6 months. In the summer. I really do have the best team of coaches and members supporting and helping me do this. This is the highlight of my year, being a part of this community. Life changing.
11. Got approved for 2 credit cards. Sucks when you can't get them b/c you pay everything in cash and have no debt, but you have to have them before they will let you buy a house. Dumbest system I've ever played in to, other than one I'm not talking about. (Vague much? Touche'!) But I want to buy a house, dammit! I'm tired of my apartment that I outgrew 5 years ago. And a want another dog, too!
12. Avoided the SXSW mess of people. I used to be more adventurous. Now I'm just old.
I'm sure there's more I can add to the list, but honestly, I'm just tired. I'm looking forward to upping my gym time. I'm looking forward to the KOKE FM music series being back out at the Nutty Brown in a couple weeks. I feel like I'm coming out of a fog, so I'm looking forward to getting to the other side of it all. I know getting my apartment in order, de-cluttering a bit, okay a LOT, and organizing my craft stuff, well that will be a big part of it.
Gotta clear the path. Gotta make way.
I'm itching to change more, do more, and get outside more, less time at home.
We'll see how that goes.
The wind might blow tomorrow. (i.e. probably).
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Kicking off Another Challenge
I'm so glad to be home! It was nice to get outside of Austin for a few days, but it definitely wasn't a vacation! Chicago was WORK! Nice to see a place I'd never seen before, though, and eat some REALLY amazing food.
Sugar overload.
Carb overload.
Alcohol overload.
I started my day way too early after too many late nights to really get in much of any sort of workout. I had the best of intentions, even brought my MAC that I didn't crack open once I was off the plane, to do my Advocare Can You 24 DVD. I did manage to do a few rounds of squats, sit ups and push ups. One time.
Shame on me.
Tired, unmotivated, missed my home, my dog, my routine.
I gained 1 lb. while in Chicago. I don't know how it wasn't 5 or 10.
I was in bed by 9:30 Friday night and like a kid on Christmas morning when it was time for Crossfit on Saturday. I was slow, and it was expected. I was there and I was excited to be back.
Monday I started my next 24 Day Challenge, as I knew I would months before I left. It was the only way I could really let myself enjoy my food break with a little less guilt. Today is day 2 and the lb I gained while I was gone has already gone away. I also took my measurements this morning, and discovered I still had measurements from when I decided to get re-focused last year. When I added it all up I was stunned and had a really good dose of "Proud".
Here's the diff:
Weight: -27.8 lbs
Waist: -4.25 in.
Neck: -.75 in.
Bust: -4.5 in
Hips: -5.5 in.
Arm (rt): -1 in
Arm (lt): -1.25 in.
Thigh (rt): -2.5 in
Thigh (lt): -2.5 in
Calf (rt): -1.5 in.
Calf (lt): -2 in.
Total: almost 28 lbs and 25.75 inches.
Not to brag, but that's the best progress and the most needed thing I could see today. I know I've made changes, but seeing them on paper somehow makes them a little more "true".
I'm hitting the gym today so I can give Open 14.2 a go. I want to have some metrics and reference points as I continue on the Crossfit train. Plus adding in the extra day this week to make up for the time I was away last week, and get in the mindset for what's coming up after April, see if it's a possibility for me, something I can maintain thru the summer, will be interesting. But it involves chest to bar pull ups. And the pull ups are one thing I'm gaining a bit of confidence in, so we'll see how that goes.
Yesterday was fantastic. At the gym anyway.
Today I'm hoping for a repeat.
Sugar overload.
Carb overload.
Alcohol overload.
I started my day way too early after too many late nights to really get in much of any sort of workout. I had the best of intentions, even brought my MAC that I didn't crack open once I was off the plane, to do my Advocare Can You 24 DVD. I did manage to do a few rounds of squats, sit ups and push ups. One time.
Shame on me.
Tired, unmotivated, missed my home, my dog, my routine.
I gained 1 lb. while in Chicago. I don't know how it wasn't 5 or 10.
I was in bed by 9:30 Friday night and like a kid on Christmas morning when it was time for Crossfit on Saturday. I was slow, and it was expected. I was there and I was excited to be back.
Monday I started my next 24 Day Challenge, as I knew I would months before I left. It was the only way I could really let myself enjoy my food break with a little less guilt. Today is day 2 and the lb I gained while I was gone has already gone away. I also took my measurements this morning, and discovered I still had measurements from when I decided to get re-focused last year. When I added it all up I was stunned and had a really good dose of "Proud".
Here's the diff:
Weight: -27.8 lbs
Waist: -4.25 in.
Neck: -.75 in.
Bust: -4.5 in
Hips: -5.5 in.
Arm (rt): -1 in
Arm (lt): -1.25 in.
Thigh (rt): -2.5 in
Thigh (lt): -2.5 in
Calf (rt): -1.5 in.
Calf (lt): -2 in.
Total: almost 28 lbs and 25.75 inches.
Not to brag, but that's the best progress and the most needed thing I could see today. I know I've made changes, but seeing them on paper somehow makes them a little more "true".
I'm hitting the gym today so I can give Open 14.2 a go. I want to have some metrics and reference points as I continue on the Crossfit train. Plus adding in the extra day this week to make up for the time I was away last week, and get in the mindset for what's coming up after April, see if it's a possibility for me, something I can maintain thru the summer, will be interesting. But it involves chest to bar pull ups. And the pull ups are one thing I'm gaining a bit of confidence in, so we'll see how that goes.
Yesterday was fantastic. At the gym anyway.
Today I'm hoping for a repeat.
Monday, February 24, 2014
I'm still here... promise!
I haven't forgotten you, my little blogger bugs! I've just been a ridiculous combo of tired and busy, both of which go hand in hand, I suppose. Also, re-introducing foods I stayed away from on the Paleo challenge, and really trying to pay attention to the way my body felt as they came back...
First up: FOOD
Things haven't been bad, things haven't been great, but they've been right in the middle. I've had more than a handful of "cheat" days, with the "it's only a few bites", "it's only 1 meal", "I'll do better tomorrow", excusing myself out of accountability when it comes to my food, and just being lazy about prepping.
This is 100% on me. But it's not all wasted time.
I've learned a few things. The most important one: I have to plan and prep if I am to be successful. And it means planning my cheat meals, too. I have to allow those things.
Other things learned -
* I went and got myself a cupcake after talking about it for 2 weeks. I craved it. It wasn't anything spectacular. I would have been just fine without it.
* I loved peanut butter. I switched to Almond Butter during the challenge. Peanut butter doesn't taste the same anymore. I keep thinking it's b/c of the amount of sugar I cut during the challenge. I'm just not digging or craving as much of the "sweet" but more of the "savory".
* I love bacon. This isn't a shock, but the amount of bacon I've cooked in the past month an a half is already more than I cooked all of last year. Maybe a lb every other week? I should have enough bacon grease to make my own batch of "Stuff-N-Clutter" this coming Christmas.
* My tastes have been refined and seriously, even the smell of "Grass-Fed" beef is better than anything I've used before.
* I like cooking new things - Here's a few I ventured out with during the challenge:
..... Spaghetti Squash
..... Sweet Potatoes
..... Uncured bacon (why would ANYONE go back to "cured"??? It needs no help being fabulous!)
..... Ground Italian Sausage
I know there will be more moments of "Ah-Ha!" as I continue to adjust and modify the diet that works best for me, my time, my body, my schedule. It's all pretty exciting to feel a certain level of confidence and pride about my food. It used to be SO overwhelming, thinking I was doing something right, following the rules as I understood them, from a million different resources. And in this, something clicked. I see and FEEL the benefits of staying away from "man-made" as far as food goes. That being said, I will stand firm by the results and energy I get from Advocare. Can I do it without? Absolutely. But I want to maximize my efforts in all facets. So I am adjusting my diet and intake to represent "Advo-Paleo". This is what I know works best for me.
Second Up: CROSSFIT Update:
So finally getting past the "I had the flu so my time and efforts really will suck for a month" feeling. And true to form, it really did take me good month before I could feel confident, like I was making progress instead of getting kicked backwards twenty steps.
I bettered my Paleo baseline by 5 minutes.
Friday afternoon, I PR'd "Helen" by 2:20.
There's a mild amount of running in ol' "Helen", so this is a big deal for me. But HOLY cow, it seems like it took forEVER for my heart rate to come back down, and for me to catch my breathing. I was completely spent. And I slept for crap Fri. night, too... but that's been happening for a few days. Prob. more to do with my to-do list & my poor food choices than my heart rate...
The good news, I ran all 3 400m runs. I didn't take one step of a pause / walk. I ran it all. My pull ups, I've been using the blue band assist, and next WOD I'm moving that up to the Green / Purple assist. This is one step closer to one of my goals for this year - Doing Green Band Assist pull ups.
Upper body strength is getting better. My push-ups are getting better, but I still lose a ton of time on those and Burpees. I'm starting a push-up challenge w/ some ladies at the gym, so I'm hopeful that I will continue to see improvement there.
The end of April, I think, will mark the completion of my first 6 months with Crossfit. I've already spoken to my coach on upping my attendance to 4-5 times a week, so adding a day. This would give me a M-T-W on, rest Thurs, F-Sa on, rest Sun. schedule. I find that I feel a little more "lost" on the days I don't go, but know I need to let my body recover, too. I would essentially have an "unlimited" membership, so I could work on more foundations and goals (Double Unders, Muscle Ups, Pull-Ups), a little more "training", etc...
I'm actually excited to see how things progress. I'm not excited about how hot it's going to be in the box, but sweating my ass off, you bet! I've got some ass that needs sweating away! ;-)
Oh, and baseball season is creeping up on us! So THAT will be fun, too!
Let's Go Rangers!
First up: FOOD
Things haven't been bad, things haven't been great, but they've been right in the middle. I've had more than a handful of "cheat" days, with the "it's only a few bites", "it's only 1 meal", "I'll do better tomorrow", excusing myself out of accountability when it comes to my food, and just being lazy about prepping.
This is 100% on me. But it's not all wasted time.
I've learned a few things. The most important one: I have to plan and prep if I am to be successful. And it means planning my cheat meals, too. I have to allow those things.
Other things learned -
* I went and got myself a cupcake after talking about it for 2 weeks. I craved it. It wasn't anything spectacular. I would have been just fine without it.
* I loved peanut butter. I switched to Almond Butter during the challenge. Peanut butter doesn't taste the same anymore. I keep thinking it's b/c of the amount of sugar I cut during the challenge. I'm just not digging or craving as much of the "sweet" but more of the "savory".
* I love bacon. This isn't a shock, but the amount of bacon I've cooked in the past month an a half is already more than I cooked all of last year. Maybe a lb every other week? I should have enough bacon grease to make my own batch of "Stuff-N-Clutter" this coming Christmas.
* My tastes have been refined and seriously, even the smell of "Grass-Fed" beef is better than anything I've used before.
* I like cooking new things - Here's a few I ventured out with during the challenge:
..... Spaghetti Squash
..... Sweet Potatoes
..... Uncured bacon (why would ANYONE go back to "cured"??? It needs no help being fabulous!)
..... Ground Italian Sausage
I know there will be more moments of "Ah-Ha!" as I continue to adjust and modify the diet that works best for me, my time, my body, my schedule. It's all pretty exciting to feel a certain level of confidence and pride about my food. It used to be SO overwhelming, thinking I was doing something right, following the rules as I understood them, from a million different resources. And in this, something clicked. I see and FEEL the benefits of staying away from "man-made" as far as food goes. That being said, I will stand firm by the results and energy I get from Advocare. Can I do it without? Absolutely. But I want to maximize my efforts in all facets. So I am adjusting my diet and intake to represent "Advo-Paleo". This is what I know works best for me.
Second Up: CROSSFIT Update:
So finally getting past the "I had the flu so my time and efforts really will suck for a month" feeling. And true to form, it really did take me good month before I could feel confident, like I was making progress instead of getting kicked backwards twenty steps.
I bettered my Paleo baseline by 5 minutes.
Friday afternoon, I PR'd "Helen" by 2:20.
There's a mild amount of running in ol' "Helen", so this is a big deal for me. But HOLY cow, it seems like it took forEVER for my heart rate to come back down, and for me to catch my breathing. I was completely spent. And I slept for crap Fri. night, too... but that's been happening for a few days. Prob. more to do with my to-do list & my poor food choices than my heart rate...
The good news, I ran all 3 400m runs. I didn't take one step of a pause / walk. I ran it all. My pull ups, I've been using the blue band assist, and next WOD I'm moving that up to the Green / Purple assist. This is one step closer to one of my goals for this year - Doing Green Band Assist pull ups.
Upper body strength is getting better. My push-ups are getting better, but I still lose a ton of time on those and Burpees. I'm starting a push-up challenge w/ some ladies at the gym, so I'm hopeful that I will continue to see improvement there.
The end of April, I think, will mark the completion of my first 6 months with Crossfit. I've already spoken to my coach on upping my attendance to 4-5 times a week, so adding a day. This would give me a M-T-W on, rest Thurs, F-Sa on, rest Sun. schedule. I find that I feel a little more "lost" on the days I don't go, but know I need to let my body recover, too. I would essentially have an "unlimited" membership, so I could work on more foundations and goals (Double Unders, Muscle Ups, Pull-Ups), a little more "training", etc...
I'm actually excited to see how things progress. I'm not excited about how hot it's going to be in the box, but sweating my ass off, you bet! I've got some ass that needs sweating away! ;-)
Oh, and baseball season is creeping up on us! So THAT will be fun, too!
Let's Go Rangers!
Friday, February 14, 2014
It's Not so Much About Being Happy
In all of this, there are good days, there are great days, there are days when existing is exhausting and there are days that you close yourself off because you don't want anyone asking questions, and days you make a list of things to talk about that are "safe", and hope that people don't see past THE face.
I'm doing all of this stuff right now (Crossfit, Paleo, Advocare) because honestly I needed something to do. I needed to do just enough to keep my mind and my body occupied and think less. The bonus has been the people that have crossed my path and the small victories I've achieved.
That being said, here's a 2 yr comparison, so that I can see changes on the outside that other people see, and try to get my inside to match it.
I'm not happy. I'm not unhappy. I am merely doing what I can to stay occupied, and make a few changes along the way. Happy for me is helping others. And in that, I'm helping myself along the way, too, and it's not a bad thing.
I'm doing all of this stuff right now (Crossfit, Paleo, Advocare) because honestly I needed something to do. I needed to do just enough to keep my mind and my body occupied and think less. The bonus has been the people that have crossed my path and the small victories I've achieved.
That being said, here's a 2 yr comparison, so that I can see changes on the outside that other people see, and try to get my inside to match it.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
2 Days Post Paleo... Challenge
So I did it! I liked it. But you knew that already.
My head was spinning with thoughts of all the stuff I could add back in once it was over. Bread, Queso, Chips, Hummus, Beans, Advocare (Spark, Slam, Catalyst, Shakes...), Alcohol...
I was honestly a bit nervous about the whole thing b/c it was SO much freedom to eat how I was used to eating before jumping in on this challenge with both feet. Okay, I'm still uneasy / nervous.
I woke up Wednesday and had my SLAM, drank my Spark, and was just EXCITED all day long! I felt re-energized. And it honestly felt really amazing. I felt like I got to see a long lost friend and picked up right where I was the day before I started.
But I'm nervous to eat a meal that isn't "Paleo". I'm still losing lbs, and I don't want that to stop. I want to keep maximizing on my efforts at the gym and with my diet.
I'm going to Chicago at the beginning of March. I'll try to allow myself a few cheats, and I know there will be alcohol, plenty / lots of it. I feel like I need to "pre-game" so I don't make a fool of myself without any tolerance when we are there. I don't want to be the lightweight, but I don't want to over-do it either.
I want a cupcake, but I don't want the calories.
I'm learning how to adapt to this mind game, but it's seriously throwing me for a loop. It's not a bad thing, just need to figure out how to get the adjustment done b/c I could seriously stick to the Paleo and be fine. It's like you've dedicated yourself to a lifestyle, only to not be locked in and held accountable, given the chance to add things back in, and see how your body reacts to it all.
I thrive on structure and security.
Add that to the list of things I've learned for 2014... Thus far.
I know I felt the absence of my Advocare. I'd just gotten used to feeling great, and I didn't feel bad without it, but I felt different. I didn't feel like my performance at the gym was as good as it had been, but also keeping in mind that the first week of Paleo was immediately following the flupocalyspe that knocked me on my ass for 5 days, and then some.
***Sidenote about Advocare - it's not a miracle program, but it's all about MAXimizing my effort. I want to get the best results possible from the work I'm putting in to this.***
Oh and that whole Paleo baseline workout thing... here's what it was...
500m rows
50 wall balls (6 / 8)
40 hand release pushups
30 situps
20 pull ups (assisted blue band)
10 burpee box jumps (12 in / 15 in.)
(parentheses are what I used / did at the beginning vs. what I did yesterday, post challenge)
Time: 1st time: 17:42 2nd time: 12:49
That's a good near 5 minute improvement. Amazing. That feeling is insane. I had the hardest time sleeping last night, I was so excited.
And I know I lost inches, too. I don't have all my measurements to go back to reference, I do know that I lost 2 inches in my waist alone, and 2 in my hips, hence the need for the size 10 jeans.
I know I'll improve more as I keep going. It's exciting!!!
My head was spinning with thoughts of all the stuff I could add back in once it was over. Bread, Queso, Chips, Hummus, Beans, Advocare (Spark, Slam, Catalyst, Shakes...), Alcohol...
I was honestly a bit nervous about the whole thing b/c it was SO much freedom to eat how I was used to eating before jumping in on this challenge with both feet. Okay, I'm still uneasy / nervous.
I woke up Wednesday and had my SLAM, drank my Spark, and was just EXCITED all day long! I felt re-energized. And it honestly felt really amazing. I felt like I got to see a long lost friend and picked up right where I was the day before I started.
But I'm nervous to eat a meal that isn't "Paleo". I'm still losing lbs, and I don't want that to stop. I want to keep maximizing on my efforts at the gym and with my diet.
I'm going to Chicago at the beginning of March. I'll try to allow myself a few cheats, and I know there will be alcohol, plenty / lots of it. I feel like I need to "pre-game" so I don't make a fool of myself without any tolerance when we are there. I don't want to be the lightweight, but I don't want to over-do it either.
I want a cupcake, but I don't want the calories.
I'm learning how to adapt to this mind game, but it's seriously throwing me for a loop. It's not a bad thing, just need to figure out how to get the adjustment done b/c I could seriously stick to the Paleo and be fine. It's like you've dedicated yourself to a lifestyle, only to not be locked in and held accountable, given the chance to add things back in, and see how your body reacts to it all.
I thrive on structure and security.
Add that to the list of things I've learned for 2014... Thus far.
I know I felt the absence of my Advocare. I'd just gotten used to feeling great, and I didn't feel bad without it, but I felt different. I didn't feel like my performance at the gym was as good as it had been, but also keeping in mind that the first week of Paleo was immediately following the flupocalyspe that knocked me on my ass for 5 days, and then some.
***Sidenote about Advocare - it's not a miracle program, but it's all about MAXimizing my effort. I want to get the best results possible from the work I'm putting in to this.***
Oh and that whole Paleo baseline workout thing... here's what it was...
500m rows
50 wall balls (6 / 8)
40 hand release pushups
30 situps
20 pull ups (assisted blue band)
10 burpee box jumps (12 in / 15 in.)
(parentheses are what I used / did at the beginning vs. what I did yesterday, post challenge)
Time: 1st time: 17:42 2nd time: 12:49
That's a good near 5 minute improvement. Amazing. That feeling is insane. I had the hardest time sleeping last night, I was so excited.
And I know I lost inches, too. I don't have all my measurements to go back to reference, I do know that I lost 2 inches in my waist alone, and 2 in my hips, hence the need for the size 10 jeans.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Hopeful Realist
It's not a secret that this "get fit, get healthy" journey hasn't been a quick one, or some spur of the moment "good idea". At least for me. It's taken a long ass time for me to get where I am right now, and I know I am NOWHERE near close to achieving my goals, but I'm closer than I was yesterday, a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, etc...
I've not watched the Biggest Loser in years. I got tired of feeling guilty b/c I didn't see the results they saw, I felt so sad for the contestants, the ones that needed more but got kicked off the show... What a way to screw with the minds of those who need help. Being there for a week won't change those people. It leaves them feeling dejected and rejected. I don't see how this is a good thing. Too much emotion for me, all generated by the guise of "reality". Blah.
But I guess it's not really about losing weight, getting fit, getting healthy... it's about ratings. It's a game show with a few less flashing lights and ringing bells.
All of this to say, look, if you want to change, do it for you. Find what works best for YOU.
There's nothing magical about making a change that will stick with you for the remainder of a lifetime. There are tools to help you, people who will go to the end of the earth to get you there, and hi-five you on the road. But ultimately it's a choice that you have to make for yourself.
I love helping people. I love that Advocare has given me the opportunity to do that. I trust Advocare because I trust the Sci-Med board with over 200+ years of experience. I trust the products that are approved by the Olympic committee and the top athletes in most sports / fields. I cannot promise you the moon, but I can certainly tell you that Advocare, along with modifying my diet and adding Crossfit has finally given me the peace and security in finding the structure and elements that work for me.
I can't tell you enough how overwhelming and HEAVY it felt to continue to fail at fitness. I sucked at going to the gym. I sucked at motivating myself at home to do a workout every day. I sucked at sticking with bootcamp at 5:30 every morning. I sucked at the C25K challenge (I plain suck at running).
I don't suck at getting to Crossfit. I might suck at more than a few elements, but I still find the joy in getting it done.
If some of what I've learned for myself can help you, honestly, nothing makes me happier than sharing and helping others.
Please don't buy in to fads and quick fixes. There's nothing quick about making serious and dedicated changes. Prepping your week with food, supplements (if you choose), and your gym schedule are the 3 things you HAVE to do. There is no way to be successful just winging it and hoping for the best.
If I can help you with recipes, share ways Advocare can help you (it's not just the 24 Day Challenge and Spark), invite you to join me in a Saturday morning Crossfit sesh, or give you some encouragement along your way, I would love to.
email me at advomeaux@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
*I am in no way a pro or certified in anything, I am just a girl who finally found the recipe for my own success
I've not watched the Biggest Loser in years. I got tired of feeling guilty b/c I didn't see the results they saw, I felt so sad for the contestants, the ones that needed more but got kicked off the show... What a way to screw with the minds of those who need help. Being there for a week won't change those people. It leaves them feeling dejected and rejected. I don't see how this is a good thing. Too much emotion for me, all generated by the guise of "reality". Blah.
But I guess it's not really about losing weight, getting fit, getting healthy... it's about ratings. It's a game show with a few less flashing lights and ringing bells.
All of this to say, look, if you want to change, do it for you. Find what works best for YOU.
There's nothing magical about making a change that will stick with you for the remainder of a lifetime. There are tools to help you, people who will go to the end of the earth to get you there, and hi-five you on the road. But ultimately it's a choice that you have to make for yourself.
I love helping people. I love that Advocare has given me the opportunity to do that. I trust Advocare because I trust the Sci-Med board with over 200+ years of experience. I trust the products that are approved by the Olympic committee and the top athletes in most sports / fields. I cannot promise you the moon, but I can certainly tell you that Advocare, along with modifying my diet and adding Crossfit has finally given me the peace and security in finding the structure and elements that work for me.
I can't tell you enough how overwhelming and HEAVY it felt to continue to fail at fitness. I sucked at going to the gym. I sucked at motivating myself at home to do a workout every day. I sucked at sticking with bootcamp at 5:30 every morning. I sucked at the C25K challenge (I plain suck at running).
I don't suck at getting to Crossfit. I might suck at more than a few elements, but I still find the joy in getting it done.
If some of what I've learned for myself can help you, honestly, nothing makes me happier than sharing and helping others.
Please don't buy in to fads and quick fixes. There's nothing quick about making serious and dedicated changes. Prepping your week with food, supplements (if you choose), and your gym schedule are the 3 things you HAVE to do. There is no way to be successful just winging it and hoping for the best.
If I can help you with recipes, share ways Advocare can help you (it's not just the 24 Day Challenge and Spark), invite you to join me in a Saturday morning Crossfit sesh, or give you some encouragement along your way, I would love to.
email me at advomeaux@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
*I am in no way a pro or certified in anything, I am just a girl who finally found the recipe for my own success
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Paleo - Taco Pie Recipe
Ingredients Taco Seasoning
1 tbs chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Ingredients Crust
2 cups of almond flour
2 eggs - whisked
1 tbs coconut oil
1-2 tbs of the taco seasoning (see above)
Ingredients Filling
1 to 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef – browned (grass-fed beef recommended)
1 small onion diced
1/2 red pepper diced
1/2 green pepper diced
2 tbs taco seasoning (see above)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes with green chilies – liquid drained
2 avocados - diced
Instructions
1. First combine ingredients for the taco seasoning in a small bowl - set aside
2. In a frying pan add 2 tbs of a fat of your choice
3. Add ground beef and brown, along with the onions and peppers over medium heat until meat is cooked and the veggies tender
4. Drain fat from pan
5. Add 2 tbs of the taco seasoning mix
6. Next add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce, and stir
7. Simmer awhile to let flavors combine
8. Time to make the crust...
9. In a medium bowl combine almond flour, whisked eggs and coconut oil into a dough (I used a wooden spoon, then my hands)
10. This will make a 9-inch pie crust, or enough for about 4 ramekins
11. Grease pie pan or ramekins
12. Mix dough and form for which ever vessel you will be using for pie
13. Press into pie pan or ramekins to form a crust
14. Bake at 350-degrees F unfilled for about 8-10 min
15. Remove from oven and add the taco filling from the pan
16. Top with some diced tomatoes
17. Return to oven and bake at 350-degrees F for another 20 mins
18. Top with slices of avocado or whatever garnish you would like
19. Break up the crust from the bottom to combine with taco filling
20. Eat up!
1 tbs chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Ingredients Crust
2 cups of almond flour
2 eggs - whisked
1 tbs coconut oil
1-2 tbs of the taco seasoning (see above)
Ingredients Filling
1 to 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef – browned (grass-fed beef recommended)
1 small onion diced
1/2 red pepper diced
1/2 green pepper diced
2 tbs taco seasoning (see above)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 can (14 oz) of diced tomatoes with green chilies – liquid drained
2 avocados - diced
Instructions
1. First combine ingredients for the taco seasoning in a small bowl - set aside
2. In a frying pan add 2 tbs of a fat of your choice
3. Add ground beef and brown, along with the onions and peppers over medium heat until meat is cooked and the veggies tender
4. Drain fat from pan
5. Add 2 tbs of the taco seasoning mix
6. Next add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce, and stir
7. Simmer awhile to let flavors combine
8. Time to make the crust...
9. In a medium bowl combine almond flour, whisked eggs and coconut oil into a dough (I used a wooden spoon, then my hands)
10. This will make a 9-inch pie crust, or enough for about 4 ramekins
11. Grease pie pan or ramekins
12. Mix dough and form for which ever vessel you will be using for pie
13. Press into pie pan or ramekins to form a crust
14. Bake at 350-degrees F unfilled for about 8-10 min
15. Remove from oven and add the taco filling from the pan
16. Top with some diced tomatoes
17. Return to oven and bake at 350-degrees F for another 20 mins
18. Top with slices of avocado or whatever garnish you would like
19. Break up the crust from the bottom to combine with taco filling
20. Eat up!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Sober Superbowl & a Size 10
We are down to the home stretch... just 7 more days to go on this strictly Paleo plan. I've had one little blip, but unintentional at best.
Saturday night I exercised the greatest amount of will power to date. Went to dinner for a friend's birthday at one of my "treat" restaurants where the food is Latin and the black bean dip is laced with everything I have ever wanted to devour! It really is divine! I didn't even feel tempted, but had I looked at it any longer, I might have been ;) I did great, looking at the menu beforehand, decided on a salmon tropical salad w/ fresh fruits & a balsamic dressing. Perfecto!
Then I came home w/ a raging headache and slept for 12 hours. Good grief!
Superbowl Sunday came around, and I, like the rest of the idiots, trotted to HEB so I could do my grocery shopping. For the number of cars in the parking lot, I was actually able to hop in and out in 45 minutes. Perk was 1. I didn't have to go to the bread aisle. 2. The produce section wasn't heavily populated and 3. The checker in my line was super speedy!
My Sunday shopping just feels right. I know it's crowded, I know I will have to be patient, I know I will have to pause and wait for the mom to get all the bananas and then make sure her 3 kids are not darting across the aisle. I like coming home and putting away the groceries, setting things aside for what I'm going to cook that afternoon / evening. This is a part of Paleo I was honestly dreading, but find remarkably easy. It feels like I've been doing this for ages and ages. So this is good. I can definitely see myself keeping up with this part of Paleo.
I had a friend coming over while the big game was on, so we could do some crafty project (FUN!) and have dinner. She just started her 24 day challenge w/ Advocare, so wanted to cook something paleo and challenge friendly. I decided I would do Meatloaf. I chose the Italian Meatloaf from PaleOMG. And OMG it was AWESOME!!! It was my first meatloaf, and my first butternut squash. Both were super successful! The other side was roasted broccoli. It was the tastiest and most colorful plate!
As we are now just a week out, there are things I cannot WAIT to dive back in to, moderately, of course. My Advocare supplements are number one. I know I get a lot of great and much needed nutrients from the food I've been eating on Paleo (YAY!), but I can feel small nuances that I haven't felt in a while, since being on product, creeping back in. Knee pain is paramount. Recovery time is longer from my workouts, Sleep has been ok, but I feel myself yawning in fits every afternoon, when I should and would be having my afternoon Spark.
I have decided that I'm going to modify my Paleo to accommodate my Advocare, and still pay closer attention to going non-processed foods as much as possible, cooking a big meal I can eat through the week, while having a protein shake here and there, most likely the mornings, unless I have the egg bites handy ;)
I've learned a lot thus far, cooked more, stayed focused and had one little blip. I'm this close to the end and I will resist the urge to gorge on a cupcake, but man that does sound SO good! I'm not really a big "sweets" person, as I usually go for savory, but knowing it's NOT on the list, well it just makes it all the more tempting!
Oh yeah, and that Size 10 thing... well I sure enough did. THAT felt good! It was maybe 2008 and I was buying a size 18. It wasn't for a long period, as I think I only had 1 or 2 pair, but that was humbling. So proud? You bet. And if I can get down to a 6 and maintain.... a girl can dream. 35 more lbs to go.
Saturday night I exercised the greatest amount of will power to date. Went to dinner for a friend's birthday at one of my "treat" restaurants where the food is Latin and the black bean dip is laced with everything I have ever wanted to devour! It really is divine! I didn't even feel tempted, but had I looked at it any longer, I might have been ;) I did great, looking at the menu beforehand, decided on a salmon tropical salad w/ fresh fruits & a balsamic dressing. Perfecto!
Then I came home w/ a raging headache and slept for 12 hours. Good grief!
Superbowl Sunday came around, and I, like the rest of the idiots, trotted to HEB so I could do my grocery shopping. For the number of cars in the parking lot, I was actually able to hop in and out in 45 minutes. Perk was 1. I didn't have to go to the bread aisle. 2. The produce section wasn't heavily populated and 3. The checker in my line was super speedy!
My Sunday shopping just feels right. I know it's crowded, I know I will have to be patient, I know I will have to pause and wait for the mom to get all the bananas and then make sure her 3 kids are not darting across the aisle. I like coming home and putting away the groceries, setting things aside for what I'm going to cook that afternoon / evening. This is a part of Paleo I was honestly dreading, but find remarkably easy. It feels like I've been doing this for ages and ages. So this is good. I can definitely see myself keeping up with this part of Paleo.
I had a friend coming over while the big game was on, so we could do some crafty project (FUN!) and have dinner. She just started her 24 day challenge w/ Advocare, so wanted to cook something paleo and challenge friendly. I decided I would do Meatloaf. I chose the Italian Meatloaf from PaleOMG. And OMG it was AWESOME!!! It was my first meatloaf, and my first butternut squash. Both were super successful! The other side was roasted broccoli. It was the tastiest and most colorful plate!
As we are now just a week out, there are things I cannot WAIT to dive back in to, moderately, of course. My Advocare supplements are number one. I know I get a lot of great and much needed nutrients from the food I've been eating on Paleo (YAY!), but I can feel small nuances that I haven't felt in a while, since being on product, creeping back in. Knee pain is paramount. Recovery time is longer from my workouts, Sleep has been ok, but I feel myself yawning in fits every afternoon, when I should and would be having my afternoon Spark.
I have decided that I'm going to modify my Paleo to accommodate my Advocare, and still pay closer attention to going non-processed foods as much as possible, cooking a big meal I can eat through the week, while having a protein shake here and there, most likely the mornings, unless I have the egg bites handy ;)
I've learned a lot thus far, cooked more, stayed focused and had one little blip. I'm this close to the end and I will resist the urge to gorge on a cupcake, but man that does sound SO good! I'm not really a big "sweets" person, as I usually go for savory, but knowing it's NOT on the list, well it just makes it all the more tempting!
Oh yeah, and that Size 10 thing... well I sure enough did. THAT felt good! It was maybe 2008 and I was buying a size 18. It wasn't for a long period, as I think I only had 1 or 2 pair, but that was humbling. So proud? You bet. And if I can get down to a 6 and maintain.... a girl can dream. 35 more lbs to go.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Looking in the Mirror
It's funny. I know I see "A" reflection in front of the mirror... I watch as I brush my teeth, so I don't drool all down the front of my outfit for the day.... I brush my hair, throw it up in a pony most days, because I'm lazy and it's probably a gym day, and would hate for that to be off center... I zoom in to catch any wayward eyebrows that need tending... I hurriedly put on my make up, too, just making sure I "stay within the lines" and don't walk out looking like Dorothy from the Drew Carey Show...
But it donned on me this morning. Rarely do I "SEE" myself. I have a mental image of what I look like, so it's not like I have any need to stare at myself, or want to... I think this is normal???
Then this morning I caught a glimpse of a reflection that looked different to me. It didn't match what I had in my head of how I see myself. It was a "who is that?"
I know my sizes are changing, my inches are changing, the lbs are changing... there is a lot of change going on here. It's not easy, but for the most part, it's enjoyable. Other people noticing, well that's good, I suppose, but it's also the trigger for sabotage, too... (more on that in another post).
I sent a pic to a couple of close friends today because what I saw felt so different to me. It was uncomfortable. I don't know how I feel about it. It feels completely weird. I saw my face as "thin". It's a whole new thing to me.
I've lost another 5 lbs while doing this paleo challenge, so I'm up to 45 total, with another 35 to go. Today I actually feel like I might accomplish the goal by fall, if I stay with it, stay dedicated, stay focused.
This whole thing, it's such a mind game.
Part of me wants to be excited to see myself differently, but it's also about being different and letting go of an identity I've had with myself for years. I also see myself looking older. So that part makes me a little sad. It makes me nervous that the more I lose, the older I'll look. I guess I can't stay 25 forever ;) ...
But if I'm going to be alone, I won't regret a single day I spent in the sun.
But it donned on me this morning. Rarely do I "SEE" myself. I have a mental image of what I look like, so it's not like I have any need to stare at myself, or want to... I think this is normal???
Then this morning I caught a glimpse of a reflection that looked different to me. It didn't match what I had in my head of how I see myself. It was a "who is that?"
I know my sizes are changing, my inches are changing, the lbs are changing... there is a lot of change going on here. It's not easy, but for the most part, it's enjoyable. Other people noticing, well that's good, I suppose, but it's also the trigger for sabotage, too... (more on that in another post).
I sent a pic to a couple of close friends today because what I saw felt so different to me. It was uncomfortable. I don't know how I feel about it. It feels completely weird. I saw my face as "thin". It's a whole new thing to me.
I've lost another 5 lbs while doing this paleo challenge, so I'm up to 45 total, with another 35 to go. Today I actually feel like I might accomplish the goal by fall, if I stay with it, stay dedicated, stay focused.
This whole thing, it's such a mind game.
Part of me wants to be excited to see myself differently, but it's also about being different and letting go of an identity I've had with myself for years. I also see myself looking older. So that part makes me a little sad. It makes me nervous that the more I lose, the older I'll look. I guess I can't stay 25 forever ;) ...
But if I'm going to be alone, I won't regret a single day I spent in the sun.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Half Way Through & Two Road Trips Down
This past weekend I spent with my folks up near Arlington. I took my dad to the Texas Rangers (MLB) Fan Fest, as his Christmas gift from yours truly. What a fun day!!! We ran bases, sat in the dugout, hi-fived the horseshoe, got pics with players, and one autograph from Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Only my most favorite baseball player EVERRRRR!!!
But the food... GAH! There wasn't one single remotely optional choice for food... I should have brought my own, but didn't plan for that well enough. My fault. But I managed. The chicken and veggies (sans butter) at Salt Grass was well worth the wait! And I'm glad I loaded up w/ eggs and a banana before we left.
I had asked my mom to do some shopping before the I got there. She picked up some eggs, fruit (apples, bananas) and cooked a paleo chili recipe I'd found that used ingredients they wouldn't shy away from. (They don't explore food at all. They are super basic and standard). The plus side to this is that 1. They wouldn't get something "fast", and 2. they have some food left that isn't based in sugar and doesn't require butter.
My sister and I both worry about their nutrition. They make choices that are too often based on "convenience" rather than health. We are trying to teach them and have a more positive influence on their food intake, but it's hard to do when we only see them maybe 5 times a year (and that's being generous!) ... the effort continues.
I was glad to have them both ask me more detail about Paleo, and want to know how, why, and what. I did my best to share and not over-explain, but to get them interested. So fingers crossed that I was able to plant a few seeds, and they will look for opportunities to do better for them, and for my sister and I. We'd like them to be around a while :)
Mom made chili, based on the recipe I'd sent her. Bless her heart, she tried, but ... sitting down to the table, I asked if she had a hard time finding the Grass fed beef. I think I knew deep down what she would say, because it doesn't click with her that companies will actually add hormones and "coloring" to make things appear "healthy", unknowingly altering the make up of the meat / food. She simply said "well, I was having trouble finding it, so I got the best the had at the meat counter" ... She tried... I appreciated it. And it was definitely a step up than the usual.
This was after she called while at the store to gasp at the eggs. "Christy, they're all brown. This is terrible". Apparently she'd never encountered a brown shell egg before. Bless her heart. I laughed after I got off the phone.
I'm glad she's supporting me in the best way(s) she can.
I'm hopeful that it will "click" one day. It's taken me years to get to this point. Each one better than the one before. And I know next year will be even more knowledge in my back pocket.
At this point, I'm 15 days in to my paleo journey. There's not a moment that I'm not thinking of my menu, planning the next recipe, and looking for new things to try. I have cooked more "meals" lately than I ever have, and for that, I'm proud of myself. There are things I enjoy and things I don't, and I know I need to expand my recipe stash. I just need to get a bit more brave and step out of my cooking comfort zone a little more.
I miss bread. I miss Spark. I miss Queso and Creamy Jalepeno.
We wrap this up on the 11th and I'm looking forward to maintaining a "mostly paleo" diet with a tad bit of leniency and a cheat day every now and again.
Weight loss total in 15 days - 5 lbs. I'm good with that.
But the food... GAH! There wasn't one single remotely optional choice for food... I should have brought my own, but didn't plan for that well enough. My fault. But I managed. The chicken and veggies (sans butter) at Salt Grass was well worth the wait! And I'm glad I loaded up w/ eggs and a banana before we left.
I had asked my mom to do some shopping before the I got there. She picked up some eggs, fruit (apples, bananas) and cooked a paleo chili recipe I'd found that used ingredients they wouldn't shy away from. (They don't explore food at all. They are super basic and standard). The plus side to this is that 1. They wouldn't get something "fast", and 2. they have some food left that isn't based in sugar and doesn't require butter.
My sister and I both worry about their nutrition. They make choices that are too often based on "convenience" rather than health. We are trying to teach them and have a more positive influence on their food intake, but it's hard to do when we only see them maybe 5 times a year (and that's being generous!) ... the effort continues.
I was glad to have them both ask me more detail about Paleo, and want to know how, why, and what. I did my best to share and not over-explain, but to get them interested. So fingers crossed that I was able to plant a few seeds, and they will look for opportunities to do better for them, and for my sister and I. We'd like them to be around a while :)
Mom made chili, based on the recipe I'd sent her. Bless her heart, she tried, but ... sitting down to the table, I asked if she had a hard time finding the Grass fed beef. I think I knew deep down what she would say, because it doesn't click with her that companies will actually add hormones and "coloring" to make things appear "healthy", unknowingly altering the make up of the meat / food. She simply said "well, I was having trouble finding it, so I got the best the had at the meat counter" ... She tried... I appreciated it. And it was definitely a step up than the usual.
This was after she called while at the store to gasp at the eggs. "Christy, they're all brown. This is terrible". Apparently she'd never encountered a brown shell egg before. Bless her heart. I laughed after I got off the phone.
I'm glad she's supporting me in the best way(s) she can.
I'm hopeful that it will "click" one day. It's taken me years to get to this point. Each one better than the one before. And I know next year will be even more knowledge in my back pocket.
At this point, I'm 15 days in to my paleo journey. There's not a moment that I'm not thinking of my menu, planning the next recipe, and looking for new things to try. I have cooked more "meals" lately than I ever have, and for that, I'm proud of myself. There are things I enjoy and things I don't, and I know I need to expand my recipe stash. I just need to get a bit more brave and step out of my cooking comfort zone a little more.
I miss bread. I miss Spark. I miss Queso and Creamy Jalepeno.
We wrap this up on the 11th and I'm looking forward to maintaining a "mostly paleo" diet with a tad bit of leniency and a cheat day every now and again.
Weight loss total in 15 days - 5 lbs. I'm good with that.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
I Survived the Weekend - Paleo Style!
I was SOOOO nervous about traveling to Houston (re: previous post) and being able to stick to my paleo plan. I've been super diligent and focused, and I just really didn't want to screw it up because of lack of options.
Friday I got to my sisters and had some grilled veggies, almonds, but didn't fix the salmon b/c I was honestly too tired. But at least I got something to eat, even if it was less than I'd planned.
Saturday I got up and on the road to Success School, had my banana and mini egg muffin bites on the way, stashed some carrots, almonds and dried cranberries in my bag. I was pretty nervous about a lot of things, (finding parking, finding my crew, and most of all, food options). We were at a MLB ballpark, so bringing in anything was going to be tricky, much less anything "hot". It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, though. Found my parking, found my crew, and seats. It. Was. Freezing. inside. They had no heat, and that much concrete, well it was just cold. and I even had a wrap with me.
Good news is there was a healthy (er) choice buffet for $20. I was able to look at it before buying it, and found I could have a few things, so I paid the money and jumped in. I couldn't feel my fingers at this point, so I really wanted something hot / warm. Grilled veggies, chicken and fruit it was. Then I walked back to my car to get a blanket. It was seriously like an ice box in there!
Headed to Spring, ran to the grocery store, picked up goodies for my Paleo dinner I was cooking that night. Bonafide success! Pork Chops, Squash & Broccoli. Woke up Sunday AM, went to the store again to pick up things for our lunch before the football started. It was fun to shop with someone and share with confidence about things that are and aren't paleo. It was nice to be supported in my challenge and looked to for guidance for healthy eating.
Got sent home with leftovers and learned how to cook a spaghetti squash, too!
Success, Indeed!
Friday I got to my sisters and had some grilled veggies, almonds, but didn't fix the salmon b/c I was honestly too tired. But at least I got something to eat, even if it was less than I'd planned.
Saturday I got up and on the road to Success School, had my banana and mini egg muffin bites on the way, stashed some carrots, almonds and dried cranberries in my bag. I was pretty nervous about a lot of things, (finding parking, finding my crew, and most of all, food options). We were at a MLB ballpark, so bringing in anything was going to be tricky, much less anything "hot". It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, though. Found my parking, found my crew, and seats. It. Was. Freezing. inside. They had no heat, and that much concrete, well it was just cold. and I even had a wrap with me.
Good news is there was a healthy (er) choice buffet for $20. I was able to look at it before buying it, and found I could have a few things, so I paid the money and jumped in. I couldn't feel my fingers at this point, so I really wanted something hot / warm. Grilled veggies, chicken and fruit it was. Then I walked back to my car to get a blanket. It was seriously like an ice box in there!
Headed to Spring, ran to the grocery store, picked up goodies for my Paleo dinner I was cooking that night. Bonafide success! Pork Chops, Squash & Broccoli. Woke up Sunday AM, went to the store again to pick up things for our lunch before the football started. It was fun to shop with someone and share with confidence about things that are and aren't paleo. It was nice to be supported in my challenge and looked to for guidance for healthy eating.
Got sent home with leftovers and learned how to cook a spaghetti squash, too!
Success, Indeed!
Friday, January 17, 2014
First week Post Plague and Paleo - DONE!
You guys all know how nervous I was about going back after being on my death bed, right? Well okay, I completely exaggerate.
Please tell me you're not shocked.
Anyway. Monday I had to do my baseline for my Paleo challenge. Now my times have been decent, nowhere near the top, but among the same level group, I have been middle to last, but overall pleased with where I've been, time and effort wise. I had NO idea what to expect, what I would do, or how I would feel doing it.
The baseline was 500m row, 50 wall balls (10 lb), 40 push ups, 30 sit ups, 20 pull ups (blue band assist), and 10 burpee boxjumps (4 45s stacked). My time was 17:14.
I was dizzy when it was over and I was pretty upset at my performance. I was exhausted. I was wiped out and I'm thankful I didn't pass out, but I knew I had been set back. Just disappointing to know that something I had no control over, took control of me and affected me and my effort. Still frustrating, but I'm just trying to overcome it and get my head on straight.
Good news: My time should really improve when the Paleo challenge is over.
Speaking of the Paleo challenge.
1. Cooking. There is more prep required than my "food for one" menu has required previously. Luckily I did enough for my breakfasts on Sunday. Lunches were taken care of, too, because of what I did on Sunday. Dinners have been more of my go-to w/ salmon and veggies sauteed in coconut oil spray. Taste is overall pretty bland. I definitely need to look at more ways to spice things up. And why have I not used garlic yet? (What the heck am I waiting for?)
2. And for as little dairy as I was having before, I miss coffee with creamer. I can't do coffee without it. Giving up cheese hasn't been completely terrible. But I miss that a little, because I can love that SOOOO much.
3. I definitely over-bought on my groceries. Glad I can freeze the meat and I'm trying to make sure I use the bulk of my veggies thru the weekend.
4. Going out of town this weekend is making me nervous as all get out. I am trying to plan to stay on track, but I know I'm going to be faced with challenges and will most likely not eat for an extended period of time for fear of eating the wrong thing.
5. Coming home late on Sunday and still not having anything prepped for the week makes me nervous, but I will prob. do smoothies next week for breakfast, and hoping my meal partner will have something for me to pick up on my way in Sunday night. That will take care of getting me started and I can do dinner on Monday, shop on Tuesday...
6. Going to my parents house next Friday. They aren't Paleo, don't know what it is, really, but I'm thinking I'm going to ask mom to cook a recipe for me, so I can have a good dinner both nights. Guess I should just send her a grocery list.
Week 1 was a success, the first five days, anyway... So I'm gonna keep giving it a go. I don't want to fail. I don't think it's a long term solution for me, but for 30 days I'm in... At least I'll lose a few more lbs before I got to Chicago. Then it's all about the Deep Dish!
WOD #2 on Wednesday was okay, I guess... I'd done Turkish Get Ups once before and struggled a bit, so I wasn't exactly excited to do them this time. BUT I can tell I'm improving there. I knocked out 10 of them and was quicker to get to form and stay there. Left side is still definitely weaker than my right. My frist time to Bear Crawl and it's not my favorite either. (Ass in the air, anyone?? HA!) I had to make sure I didn't go faster than my hands and feet could keep up with. Pull Up jumps to get my chin over the bar were challenging, but I can tell the strength is building on the bars, too. My time wasn't stellar again, but it is what it is. I just have to keep getting it done. Still marking off firsts, so that's not a bad thing.
WOD #3 - SO. Much. Running. I'll admit that I was not excited about the WOD when I saw it posted. I definitely had a "would I rather get up and go Friday AM at 5:30??" that answer was "no", so I had to give it a go... and you know what? I did okay. We warmed up with a 200 that felt okay. The WOD consisted of a 400m run, 15 DB cleans (15 lbs), 10 knees to chest (red band) pull ups - all that x 3... It was exhausting, I was last to finish and it took me nearly 18 minutes to complete. BUT I ran every meter of those 400s. every step. I didn't walk one bit of it. and THAT says a lot.
So some good, some bad, but at least I know where I am now. Just sucks knowing that I'm not where I was before I got sick.
I have some time to make up.
Please tell me you're not shocked.
Anyway. Monday I had to do my baseline for my Paleo challenge. Now my times have been decent, nowhere near the top, but among the same level group, I have been middle to last, but overall pleased with where I've been, time and effort wise. I had NO idea what to expect, what I would do, or how I would feel doing it.
The baseline was 500m row, 50 wall balls (10 lb), 40 push ups, 30 sit ups, 20 pull ups (blue band assist), and 10 burpee boxjumps (4 45s stacked). My time was 17:14.
I was dizzy when it was over and I was pretty upset at my performance. I was exhausted. I was wiped out and I'm thankful I didn't pass out, but I knew I had been set back. Just disappointing to know that something I had no control over, took control of me and affected me and my effort. Still frustrating, but I'm just trying to overcome it and get my head on straight.
Good news: My time should really improve when the Paleo challenge is over.
Speaking of the Paleo challenge.
1. Cooking. There is more prep required than my "food for one" menu has required previously. Luckily I did enough for my breakfasts on Sunday. Lunches were taken care of, too, because of what I did on Sunday. Dinners have been more of my go-to w/ salmon and veggies sauteed in coconut oil spray. Taste is overall pretty bland. I definitely need to look at more ways to spice things up. And why have I not used garlic yet? (What the heck am I waiting for?)
2. And for as little dairy as I was having before, I miss coffee with creamer. I can't do coffee without it. Giving up cheese hasn't been completely terrible. But I miss that a little, because I can love that SOOOO much.
3. I definitely over-bought on my groceries. Glad I can freeze the meat and I'm trying to make sure I use the bulk of my veggies thru the weekend.
4. Going out of town this weekend is making me nervous as all get out. I am trying to plan to stay on track, but I know I'm going to be faced with challenges and will most likely not eat for an extended period of time for fear of eating the wrong thing.
5. Coming home late on Sunday and still not having anything prepped for the week makes me nervous, but I will prob. do smoothies next week for breakfast, and hoping my meal partner will have something for me to pick up on my way in Sunday night. That will take care of getting me started and I can do dinner on Monday, shop on Tuesday...
6. Going to my parents house next Friday. They aren't Paleo, don't know what it is, really, but I'm thinking I'm going to ask mom to cook a recipe for me, so I can have a good dinner both nights. Guess I should just send her a grocery list.
Week 1 was a success, the first five days, anyway... So I'm gonna keep giving it a go. I don't want to fail. I don't think it's a long term solution for me, but for 30 days I'm in... At least I'll lose a few more lbs before I got to Chicago. Then it's all about the Deep Dish!
WOD #2 on Wednesday was okay, I guess... I'd done Turkish Get Ups once before and struggled a bit, so I wasn't exactly excited to do them this time. BUT I can tell I'm improving there. I knocked out 10 of them and was quicker to get to form and stay there. Left side is still definitely weaker than my right. My frist time to Bear Crawl and it's not my favorite either. (Ass in the air, anyone?? HA!) I had to make sure I didn't go faster than my hands and feet could keep up with. Pull Up jumps to get my chin over the bar were challenging, but I can tell the strength is building on the bars, too. My time wasn't stellar again, but it is what it is. I just have to keep getting it done. Still marking off firsts, so that's not a bad thing.
WOD #3 - SO. Much. Running. I'll admit that I was not excited about the WOD when I saw it posted. I definitely had a "would I rather get up and go Friday AM at 5:30??" that answer was "no", so I had to give it a go... and you know what? I did okay. We warmed up with a 200 that felt okay. The WOD consisted of a 400m run, 15 DB cleans (15 lbs), 10 knees to chest (red band) pull ups - all that x 3... It was exhausting, I was last to finish and it took me nearly 18 minutes to complete. BUT I ran every meter of those 400s. every step. I didn't walk one bit of it. and THAT says a lot.
So some good, some bad, but at least I know where I am now. Just sucks knowing that I'm not where I was before I got sick.
I have some time to make up.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Forty Pounds
I know I've written out my weight story before, but here's a short recap.
I never owned a scale. I had no idea what I weighed or when it was or what it was for me to reach my heaviest. I was lazy. I was unfocused. I was miserable. That's all I know.
My heaviest was 216.
TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN.
Wearing a size 16. I think I even bought an 18 or two.
It makes me SO sad to think about me being okay with that. EVER.
Sister and I started motivating one another to lose it, and I got down to 202, or 200, but don't remember dipping below the 200 before I settled in to 208. Gawd I was so dumb. And still miserable. And lost my job. So all my schedule, efforts, everything just thrown off completely.
2011 I had a friend want ask for help (why me, I have no idea...) on how to grocery shop, count calories, etc. So we went to HEB and I found myself doing it with her, using Sparkpeople, and still not exercising b/c I really do love sitting on my couch. But by some miracle, I did it. I hit the 190s. And I got stuck there.
2012 I started the year off signing up for a 5:30 AM bootcamp. I had to keep the efforts going, still had a ways to go. With bootcamp, I jumped in to doing Advocare. I wanted to give it 6 months to work, and to be focused on it. Bootcamp was painful, and I definitely wasn't a morning person. We had a sub that I just flat out didn't like. Her instruction, communication, assistance with form, knees, anything, was horrible. So I quit. I found a different bootcamp, but my knees just weren't happy. No running, still early mornings, and I lost my drive again. Tried some P90X, exhausted by the every day schedule, so I didn't do that either. But I got down to 178.
I also started dating someone, and I focused my energy on my first relationship in 12 years. Traveled. Ate a LOT of ridiculous and amazing food, drank drank drank. Football. Drank. It ended, I had gained 20 lbs back over the course of it all.
Reality was June of 2013 when I got on the scale. I was at 199.8. That was sad. And scary. And SO SO SO stupid. Shame on me.
I did an Advocare 24 Day Challenge and lost 12 lbs. I was super strict and focused. I needed to get outside of my head and find something to stare at other than my TV, but I didn't have the self-motivation to do the fitness part of it. I just couldn't find the focus. Or the space.
That's when I got invited to check out Crossfit. Scared as I ever could have imagined, but then I got in and I knew it was exactly what I had been missing. I also did another 24 Day Challenge before Thanksgiving, too. This helped SO much with getting in to the holidays with a little less "fluff", and more confidence.
I got down to 180, but couldn't get past that until just last week, thanks to the Flu. Stupid plague, but it def. got me back to where I was before. I hit the 178 mark.
This morning, I woke up to 176, and that was a big surprise. I haven't worked out in a week, and definitely had my fair share of good food, but in moderation.
So that's where I am today. 176.
40 lbs. down from where I started from, even if it did take over 5 years to do it. I suspect the next 40 won't take so long... maybe even by year's end, if I am diligent and determined enough to see it through.
I never owned a scale. I had no idea what I weighed or when it was or what it was for me to reach my heaviest. I was lazy. I was unfocused. I was miserable. That's all I know.
My heaviest was 216.
TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN.
Wearing a size 16. I think I even bought an 18 or two.
It makes me SO sad to think about me being okay with that. EVER.
Sister and I started motivating one another to lose it, and I got down to 202, or 200, but don't remember dipping below the 200 before I settled in to 208. Gawd I was so dumb. And still miserable. And lost my job. So all my schedule, efforts, everything just thrown off completely.
2011 I had a friend want ask for help (why me, I have no idea...) on how to grocery shop, count calories, etc. So we went to HEB and I found myself doing it with her, using Sparkpeople, and still not exercising b/c I really do love sitting on my couch. But by some miracle, I did it. I hit the 190s. And I got stuck there.
2012 I started the year off signing up for a 5:30 AM bootcamp. I had to keep the efforts going, still had a ways to go. With bootcamp, I jumped in to doing Advocare. I wanted to give it 6 months to work, and to be focused on it. Bootcamp was painful, and I definitely wasn't a morning person. We had a sub that I just flat out didn't like. Her instruction, communication, assistance with form, knees, anything, was horrible. So I quit. I found a different bootcamp, but my knees just weren't happy. No running, still early mornings, and I lost my drive again. Tried some P90X, exhausted by the every day schedule, so I didn't do that either. But I got down to 178.
I also started dating someone, and I focused my energy on my first relationship in 12 years. Traveled. Ate a LOT of ridiculous and amazing food, drank drank drank. Football. Drank. It ended, I had gained 20 lbs back over the course of it all.
Reality was June of 2013 when I got on the scale. I was at 199.8. That was sad. And scary. And SO SO SO stupid. Shame on me.
I did an Advocare 24 Day Challenge and lost 12 lbs. I was super strict and focused. I needed to get outside of my head and find something to stare at other than my TV, but I didn't have the self-motivation to do the fitness part of it. I just couldn't find the focus. Or the space.
That's when I got invited to check out Crossfit. Scared as I ever could have imagined, but then I got in and I knew it was exactly what I had been missing. I also did another 24 Day Challenge before Thanksgiving, too. This helped SO much with getting in to the holidays with a little less "fluff", and more confidence.
I got down to 180, but couldn't get past that until just last week, thanks to the Flu. Stupid plague, but it def. got me back to where I was before. I hit the 178 mark.
This morning, I woke up to 176, and that was a big surprise. I haven't worked out in a week, and definitely had my fair share of good food, but in moderation.
So that's where I am today. 176.
40 lbs. down from where I started from, even if it did take over 5 years to do it. I suspect the next 40 won't take so long... maybe even by year's end, if I am diligent and determined enough to see it through.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Paused for the Plague!
I have been down for the count for 4 days. FOUR DAYS!
Fever.
Cough.
Sneezing.
Body Aches.
The ridiculous FLU!
Again, I'm being dramatic... But I can't convey how much I have hated every second of this. I haven't slept, but for the nights, which is fine b/c it's kept my sleep schedule on track. But the day time has been truly uncomfortable. Over 80 hours of continuous fever was the worst.
And my poor nose...
All the illness aside, the most frustrating thing in all of this is the interruption to my momentum I've had at the gym. Even through all of the holiday hullaballoo, I kept to my workout schedule. If I am lucky, I will only miss one week before I can get back to it. I might try to go Friday, see how I feel by then, but I know my lung capacity has been affected, so I need to start rehabbing that and get back on track.
I think it's the fear of stepping backwards in my progress, losing my marks of where I was. I see the WOD listed each day and I get jazzed about it, then I'm reminded, oh yeah, even changing the sheets and doing laundry left me having to catch my breath.
I don't want to be seen as weak. I don't want to have another excuse to overcome. I just want to get back in the gym and get back to where I was. At this point, I don't even know where I am, physically.
All I know is that today was my first day in the last 4, to wake up without a fever.
And I'm exhausted.
Fever.
Cough.
Sneezing.
Body Aches.
The ridiculous FLU!
Again, I'm being dramatic... But I can't convey how much I have hated every second of this. I haven't slept, but for the nights, which is fine b/c it's kept my sleep schedule on track. But the day time has been truly uncomfortable. Over 80 hours of continuous fever was the worst.
And my poor nose...
All the illness aside, the most frustrating thing in all of this is the interruption to my momentum I've had at the gym. Even through all of the holiday hullaballoo, I kept to my workout schedule. If I am lucky, I will only miss one week before I can get back to it. I might try to go Friday, see how I feel by then, but I know my lung capacity has been affected, so I need to start rehabbing that and get back on track.
I think it's the fear of stepping backwards in my progress, losing my marks of where I was. I see the WOD listed each day and I get jazzed about it, then I'm reminded, oh yeah, even changing the sheets and doing laundry left me having to catch my breath.
I don't want to be seen as weak. I don't want to have another excuse to overcome. I just want to get back in the gym and get back to where I was. At this point, I don't even know where I am, physically.
All I know is that today was my first day in the last 4, to wake up without a fever.
And I'm exhausted.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Crossfit Goals 2014 - Finding Focus
One of the great things about the Box I belong to is how the coaches keep us motivated and focused on our progress. For 2014, we have been challenged to come up with 3 goals we want to achieve in the coming year. For me, being in the middle of week 10, thinking about where I could be at week 61 or 62, the progress I WILL make and the achievements I will hit, honestly, it's unfathomable and a little overwhelming. I'm not sure I know how to come up with just 3... and think so far ahead.
I know there are things I want to do, milestones I want to hit, things I want to overcome, and then there's the fear of not getting there, setting the bar too high, or not high enough. I don't want to fail, but I don't want to hit them too soon either... Where's the juuuuust right button?
I'm overthinking it. I know. Believe me, I know.
Looking back at those things I have already achieved in just 10 weeks time (Box jump, Double Under, running 400m w/o stopping), they're all "small" but "BIG" things. So maybe I just focus on upping the numbers on those, getting stronger, further distance, because those are the things I can measure right now.
I definitely know my weaknesses. Maybe that's a good place to start:
I lose serious time on the following:
Push Ups
Pull Ups
Burpees
Running
Jump Rope
They're major time killers. Like M-A-J-O-R time suck.
They're major time killers. Like M-A-J-O-R time suck.
Things I modify but hold steady:
Box Jumps - using a 5 stack of 45lbs
Things I feel fairly confident with and get a little smirk when I see them on the WOD:
Rows
Planks
Sit Ups
Farmers Carries
Kettle Bells
I know I need to start upping my weights, add some strength, get my shoulders and upper body reacting quicker, taking advantage of the push off, using my legs more to propel, trust the jumps, really start pushing my body to learn and TRUST more movements, be precise, and stop looking for ways to modify and face the challenge(s).
I don't want to feel relief or apprehension when I pull the WOD up each morning, depending on what's listed. I want to see it, learn it, prepare best I can for it, and kill it when I get there. So many times I make it through and feel like I could have done more, pushed harder, but sell myself short just to "play it safe". Insecurity at its finest. I gotta fix that.
I like my schedule of 3-4 times a week, and there are times I wish I could go more, do more. Right now, I'm content on sticking with this one thru April, which will be the current membership cycle. I don't know if I could commit to the 5x-6x/week, but I'd like to work up to that at some point. Not making plans, per my resolutions, but the idea is in the back of my head.
I like the results I'm getting, the way my clothes fit, buying smaller sizes, but I'm still not really sure how to take the compliments from people noticing. So I'm working on the "thank you" and smiling, quickly changing the subject, and giving credit to what is helping me with it all.
I'd love to say I'm gonna blow this year out of the water, make it the best yet, and be ridiculously optimistic, but I'm not. I'm hopeful for really great and awesome things to happen, and would love it if they did, but don't want to let myself or anyone else down if they don't, so I'm living this "it is what it is" thing.
So today, January 1st, 2014, this is a start... I've got something down, which is better than nothing.
Pull Ups: Move Up to the Green Band - Chin over bar for full WOD
Push Ups: Non-Modified full WOD effort.
Rope Climb ;) - No previous attempts, but if I can get the push ups and pull ups in place, this should be do-able
Double Unders - continuous and consistent - Softlanding, quicker wrists, less tripping over the damn rope!
Muscle Ups - Unassisted - definitely need more strength in my triceps. SO weak!
I know there is more, but for now, this is where I am and what I know I can pin point.
***I am a lady. I am allowed to change, add, edit, delete, and do whatever I please with what I have listed so far. Prerogative is a good thing to have.
2014... Rules, Regs, Resolutions, and Whatnots
I'm really going to try not to "plan" so much this year and put efforts in to not taking things personally, have expectations, feeling let down and just try to take things as they come, handling it all with as much grace as I possess.
That being said, here's a few things I really want to give some attention to this year... No plans, no expectations, a little more concentration, and focus.
That being said, here's a few things I really want to give some attention to this year... No plans, no expectations, a little more concentration, and focus.
- Crossfit -Keep up my Crossfit training - get stronger, achieve and overcome the frustrations, celebrate the milestones more and more often.
- Advocare - Work smart - Really focus on growing and achieving the Silver Level - help my team grow their businesses, really be intentional with the networking and follow through.
- Purge - Purge the clutter - have less, more quality, less quantity; Keep my apartment in better order.
- Authentic - Continue practicing "Authenticity" - be authentic, attract authentic, eat authentic.
- Paleo - Really try to go as Paleo as possible with my food intake. Less junk, less sugar.
- Food - Try a new-to-me restaurant in Austin each month. We have SO much great clean food here, and I get stuck on the same ones all the time! And cook more!
- Money - Save a little more, make up the savings I spent (Hopefully tax return will help with this a bit).
- Friends & Family - Spend more time with the ones I don't get to see often enough.
- Sports - See a Rangers game at THE Ballpark at Arlington; See the Baylor Bears play at Maclane Stadium.
- Music - it's gonna be hard to top the shows I saw in 2013 (Mumford, DMB, Bruno, NKOTB / BoyzIIMen, Blue October...) But I have Imagine Dragons coming up in March. That's a good start.
I could probably write a post on each of these, but here's the collective list.
It's a good start.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Post Christmas Hero WOD: Ryan
Christmas was laid back and fun. Spent a couple of days in the Houston area with family and lots of great food! I wasn't holding back on the eating, not over doing it, but keeping it in check and still enjoying every bite. (And there is no steak better than the ones I enjoy each year at The Taste of Texas on Christmas Eve!)
The day after Christmas was perfect! My cousin, Matthew, is in the Marines. We were so lucky to have him home this year, as next year will most likely be different, with him celebrating from another time zone. He came over and we had cocktails, with a few rounds of "Just Dance" (he's a badass with that thing, and I kept getting the WORST songs! - "Umbrella-Ella-Ella", anyone??? Laughable at best!) and spent the night on Christmas. We all got up the next AM and were lazy, watched Netflix all morning in to the afternoon before I had to leave and make it back in time to hit up the 6:30 class. The idea of staying in my pajamas was REALLY tempting, though. Especially after seeing the WOD posted. 2 words: Double Unders. 1 word: Burpees.
Neither of which excites me in any way. shape. form.
But I did it. I had told Austin that I'd be in on Thursday, so I needed to stick to it.
We did a "Hero" WOD named "Ryan". I knew these were named after military and public servants who were crossfitters, but wasn't aware they'd all lost their lives while serving. Hero seems like such a small word for such a huge and selfless role.
I looked up Ryan's story this morning, and was simply shocked at the callous acts that lead to Ryan's death. Prayers continue for his family and his community.
WOD Review:
Warmup - Double Unders -
These are a nemesis. Meaning that I don't love them b/c I had never achieved one b/c I can trip just fine on a single. I'm a professional at that one!
And then I did it. Consecutive, no, but throw a few singles in there, then bam... Need to work on the wrist speed and not have to jump so high that I lose my balance and come down a little softer, to keep it going.
For the timed portion of the WOD, it was 5 rounds of the following:
15 Pull Ups - Assisted w/ the blue band, (I usually have the black band to assist more here, but decided to forego this round, and it was hard. I definitely need more work and incorporate my core more to get the pull ups higher)
15 Muscle Ups - Did these on the rings with the green band assist. First time to do them and it wasn't pretty at all. After the first 15, I knew I'd be good if I could finish this WOD in 30 mins, but my time push was out the window at this point. My triceps haven't been worked in who knows how long. My upper body / arm strength is pretty weak, so I know this is another area I need to just gain muscle and strength on.
21 Burpees. I don't think I need to say much here, other than anyone who knows what this is has already had some sort of "ewwww" reaction. So yeah, pretty much.
Finished this in just over 28 minutes. The longest time of the day out of those that attended. I really don't have any yay or nay over this. I got it done, and that's what matters when I was so tempted to not do it at all. I also know I didn't fuel myself well before hand, and going in to this hungry, well it was either that or eating too close to workout time and risk a good first "puke". I don't handle that well, so option #1 was my choice.
Lessons learned, as I do with each WOD. So I'll go back today and probably learn something else, too.
Christmas = success. I'm still on track.
The day after Christmas was perfect! My cousin, Matthew, is in the Marines. We were so lucky to have him home this year, as next year will most likely be different, with him celebrating from another time zone. He came over and we had cocktails, with a few rounds of "Just Dance" (he's a badass with that thing, and I kept getting the WORST songs! - "Umbrella-Ella-Ella", anyone??? Laughable at best!) and spent the night on Christmas. We all got up the next AM and were lazy, watched Netflix all morning in to the afternoon before I had to leave and make it back in time to hit up the 6:30 class. The idea of staying in my pajamas was REALLY tempting, though. Especially after seeing the WOD posted. 2 words: Double Unders. 1 word: Burpees.
Neither of which excites me in any way. shape. form.
But I did it. I had told Austin that I'd be in on Thursday, so I needed to stick to it.
We did a "Hero" WOD named "Ryan". I knew these were named after military and public servants who were crossfitters, but wasn't aware they'd all lost their lives while serving. Hero seems like such a small word for such a huge and selfless role.
I looked up Ryan's story this morning, and was simply shocked at the callous acts that lead to Ryan's death. Prayers continue for his family and his community.
WOD Review:
Warmup - Double Unders -
These are a nemesis. Meaning that I don't love them b/c I had never achieved one b/c I can trip just fine on a single. I'm a professional at that one!
And then I did it. Consecutive, no, but throw a few singles in there, then bam... Need to work on the wrist speed and not have to jump so high that I lose my balance and come down a little softer, to keep it going.
For the timed portion of the WOD, it was 5 rounds of the following:
15 Pull Ups - Assisted w/ the blue band, (I usually have the black band to assist more here, but decided to forego this round, and it was hard. I definitely need more work and incorporate my core more to get the pull ups higher)
15 Muscle Ups - Did these on the rings with the green band assist. First time to do them and it wasn't pretty at all. After the first 15, I knew I'd be good if I could finish this WOD in 30 mins, but my time push was out the window at this point. My triceps haven't been worked in who knows how long. My upper body / arm strength is pretty weak, so I know this is another area I need to just gain muscle and strength on.
21 Burpees. I don't think I need to say much here, other than anyone who knows what this is has already had some sort of "ewwww" reaction. So yeah, pretty much.
Finished this in just over 28 minutes. The longest time of the day out of those that attended. I really don't have any yay or nay over this. I got it done, and that's what matters when I was so tempted to not do it at all. I also know I didn't fuel myself well before hand, and going in to this hungry, well it was either that or eating too close to workout time and risk a good first "puke". I don't handle that well, so option #1 was my choice.
Lessons learned, as I do with each WOD. So I'll go back today and probably learn something else, too.
Christmas = success. I'm still on track.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Bench Press Sounds So "Hardcore"
Friday the 13th wasn't scary at all.
Actually, it was awesome.
Hit up the box for my 5:30 WOD, ended up just me and one other guy w/ our Coach, Austin. They guy is a 5x / week-er, me, just 3 (4 on my best weeks). I didn't expect much out of myself, as we were doing bench presses. I'd never done them before, so just getting the feel for it, testing out what felt good, setting the metric. That was my focus.
We rowed 500m on the rowers, maxed out the bench presses, row, press, etc. for a full 20 mins. The rower and I have become fast friends, so my form is in check (as long as my tailbone isn't objecting to the way I'm sitting). I can pretty much get on there blindfolded and hold my pace. (Increasing that is on my list of "things to improve on").
Austin helps me set up my weights, go over form, and I decided that 45 lbs was where I would be. I don't know if that's good, bad, or whatever, but it's where I am (but I'll prob. increase by at least 5 on the next round).
No need to explain more. Here are my results:
Rows: 5K+ (Think I went 5 or 6 rounds?)
Total # of bench presses: 72!
Apparently I had the highest number of presses out of the ladies that day, so that was cool.
But maybe my weight wasn't heavy enough? Regardless, still excited to see the numbers.
Post WOD we did some core work. Planks & sit ups. I LOOOOOOVE planks. I have no idea why, but something I feel fairly confident in (Still working on the 3 min time... it's coming soon!).
Guy: "how long can you plank?"
Me: 2 - 2.5 mins
Guy: Let's do 2 mins, sit ups, 1min sit ups
Me: Sure, no prob.
This was the funniest part of the day. We get ready to go up, Warren G - Regulators comes on and I am zoned. I hip-hopped my way thru 2 mins w/ what felt like no effort at all. He was shaking, really working for it (and he got there, easier than he was giving himself credit for - and he Rx'd the WOD, so I know his arms were maxed out).
All of this to say that on this Friday, I completely redeemed the workout effort prior to this one and it felt GOOD!
I'll take the bad days, b/c I know they're going to happen. I'll try to not show my ass and act like a spoiled brat who didn't get picked first, I'll try to be more graceful and accept the not-so great days.
Because days like this one feel pretty fantastic.
Actually, it was awesome.
Hit up the box for my 5:30 WOD, ended up just me and one other guy w/ our Coach, Austin. They guy is a 5x / week-er, me, just 3 (4 on my best weeks). I didn't expect much out of myself, as we were doing bench presses. I'd never done them before, so just getting the feel for it, testing out what felt good, setting the metric. That was my focus.
We rowed 500m on the rowers, maxed out the bench presses, row, press, etc. for a full 20 mins. The rower and I have become fast friends, so my form is in check (as long as my tailbone isn't objecting to the way I'm sitting). I can pretty much get on there blindfolded and hold my pace. (Increasing that is on my list of "things to improve on").
Austin helps me set up my weights, go over form, and I decided that 45 lbs was where I would be. I don't know if that's good, bad, or whatever, but it's where I am (but I'll prob. increase by at least 5 on the next round).
No need to explain more. Here are my results:
Rows: 5K+ (Think I went 5 or 6 rounds?)
Total # of bench presses: 72!
Apparently I had the highest number of presses out of the ladies that day, so that was cool.
But maybe my weight wasn't heavy enough? Regardless, still excited to see the numbers.
Post WOD we did some core work. Planks & sit ups. I LOOOOOOVE planks. I have no idea why, but something I feel fairly confident in (Still working on the 3 min time... it's coming soon!).
Guy: "how long can you plank?"
Me: 2 - 2.5 mins
Guy: Let's do 2 mins, sit ups, 1min sit ups
Me: Sure, no prob.
This was the funniest part of the day. We get ready to go up, Warren G - Regulators comes on and I am zoned. I hip-hopped my way thru 2 mins w/ what felt like no effort at all. He was shaking, really working for it (and he got there, easier than he was giving himself credit for - and he Rx'd the WOD, so I know his arms were maxed out).
All of this to say that on this Friday, I completely redeemed the workout effort prior to this one and it felt GOOD!
I'll take the bad days, b/c I know they're going to happen. I'll try to not show my ass and act like a spoiled brat who didn't get picked first, I'll try to be more graceful and accept the not-so great days.
Because days like this one feel pretty fantastic.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Pinche' Jump Rope!
So yesterday's WOD was all about Jumping.
100 Double Unders (which I can't do... b/c I'm not fast enough... ) which translates to 200 singles, (which I can't do... well). I ended up having to sub 50 jumping jacks w/ 100 singles each round b/c I was taking sooooo long to get them done. Seriously, how do you trip on a jump rope every time you swing it around? I don't know how that works, but I did it.
I about lost my shit. Seriously angry and frustrated over a stupid jump rope. I jumped rope as a kid, but I always sucked at double dutch, but I did okay with regular jumping... Never did think about it being something to come back and literally kick my ass as a grown up.
Ridiculous.
I had a full class of people watching me struggle to finish, throwing my fit, telling people not to clap for me, not to cheer me on, to just ignore me. I was embarrassed, I was mad, I was pissed, and I wanted to cry. I wanted to go away, to just erase the whole effort. I didn't want my time on the board.
I wanted my dead damn legs to work.
I went home, took a shower, washed the disappointment off, and let my hair down. Enjoyed our Christmas party at the box, and drank some champagne with my friends.
Ended the night on a good note.
Now if I can just shake the disappointment and get ready to hit the WOD hard tomorrow...
100 Double Unders (which I can't do... b/c I'm not fast enough... ) which translates to 200 singles, (which I can't do... well). I ended up having to sub 50 jumping jacks w/ 100 singles each round b/c I was taking sooooo long to get them done. Seriously, how do you trip on a jump rope every time you swing it around? I don't know how that works, but I did it.
I about lost my shit. Seriously angry and frustrated over a stupid jump rope. I jumped rope as a kid, but I always sucked at double dutch, but I did okay with regular jumping... Never did think about it being something to come back and literally kick my ass as a grown up.
Ridiculous.
I had a full class of people watching me struggle to finish, throwing my fit, telling people not to clap for me, not to cheer me on, to just ignore me. I was embarrassed, I was mad, I was pissed, and I wanted to cry. I wanted to go away, to just erase the whole effort. I didn't want my time on the board.
I wanted my dead damn legs to work.
I went home, took a shower, washed the disappointment off, and let my hair down. Enjoyed our Christmas party at the box, and drank some champagne with my friends.
Ended the night on a good note.
Now if I can just shake the disappointment and get ready to hit the WOD hard tomorrow...
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