Friday, January 28, 2011

Who doesn't like a Quickie...

So, this is more of a preview post I think... I started a new job this week, and I'll be giving a run-down of how I pulled off a successful week of dieting, workouts, work, motherhood, laundry doer, chef, house cleaner, grocery shopper, and wife... I even showered. So,...that should be stupid long.

For now, I just have a few thoughts before I sleep for the first time this week... ;)
I just had a cheat meal. I am pretty sure you're still supposed to be able to breathe without popping ribs after you've eaten, so I may have overdone it, but I think I needed it.

There is something very weird going on with my body, and I can't wait to get to Joe's Swing This Kettlebell studio on Sunday and try to figure it out!... You hear that, Joe? Get ready...

Here is what is going on...

I kept the same diet as always except I added the 1/4 oatmeal to meal 1, as discussed, I felt super strong after about a week of that. Then about half way through this week, my body just started feeling strange. I can't really explain it. Energy and strength levels were ok, but I just felt kinda... deflated? I don't really know how to explain it. I felt like my muscles deflated, and my belly felt kind of bloated...So when I got home Wednesday, I weighed myself and I'm creepin' down closer to 105. oops! I tried moving my meals around to different parts of the day, but didn't make a difference. So, today I added another 1/4 cup of oats to my meals, and I think that helped a little bit, but then I just had my cheat meal, so it's hard to tell how I feel now...

Perhaps some pinches are in order? If this is just fat loss, then ok!, but if I'm losing muscle mass, I'm gonna be hot...

I had no idea it could get this complicated! To all of those who support me with your wisdom and understanding of food, I officially swear to you that I will hire a nutritionist next time!
Could I have over trained?? I took today as a rest day because my body feels wrecked... Maybe I should take tomorrow too, and just go hard on Sunday?

Do the decisions ever end??... Check back in to see how I feel!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

My World is Spinning Into Control

Ok, so I have been up to a lot of sneaky things lately! A few months ago I announced I'd be competing at the Northern in the bikini division... So I guess it hasn't been so much sneaky, as it has been just a little under the radar..

I have to admit, I wasn't 100% sure I'd follow through so I haven't been blogging about it. Pretty ridiculi.. (my plural for ridiculous..just go with it)
Anywho, I've been eating clean like a champ, doing cardio 6 days a week, kettlebell weight training 4 days a week, and the roids are really starting to kick in... jk...about that last part... the roids part... that was a joke.

I always complained that I'd be in amazing shape if it weren't for the part about eating healthy and exercising. I finally have it all under control, and it all started with the food.

Those who know me already know I have a scandalous history with food. I meant well, but I just couldn't be monogamous with clean sustenance...Pizza (all curves and no breaks), cheese conies (that promised "just the tip"), and chocolate cakes (sexily clad in chocolate drizzle and topped with whip cream, if I were feelin' kinky) were always my gigilos.

So why did this happen to me? How could a good girl like me get caught up in so many illicit trysts?...Because I was HUNGRY, and it was EASY, and I didn't MAKE the TIME to LEARN a better way. Now, that's not to say I'm not still learning... I have SOO much to learn. But I have learned enough to know that I wasn't eating as much or as often as I should. I know that leafy greens are GREAT for me, and fill me up. I learned that when I give my tongue a break from tasting all of the over-processed garbage in the middle aisles at the grocery, I can actually TASTE how amazing the food is that nature gives me...

I have learned a lot more than this, but this is how I got through the first few weeks! I knew if I didn't let myself starve, I'd be less likely to fall into the sweet sweet temptations of my former inamoratos.

So, I started eating 5 times a day. Now this takes a lot of preparation and hard work, so I don't get fancy with it. I weigh and measure everything ahead of time, and keep it all in a drawer in the fridge so when it's time to eat I just grab it!

Mostly my foods are just eggs, lean meats, leafy greens (brussel sprouts, spinach, kale, asparagus, broccoli), protein powder, some oatmeal, sweet potatoes and an assortment of berries on occasion. I don't marinate my meat, or cook my broccoli, or even scramble my eggs... I just cook the meat, heat the broccoli for like 30 sec, so it's not so cold, and I boil the eggs. I go through about 54 eggs a week. I find they are the easiest thing to shovel into my mouth in a hurry, and they're pre-measured and SUPER cheap.

Now, I don't want to bore with the nitty gritty... the system has a little more depth than I am giving away here The point is: weighing, measuring, eating greens, and eating more often have given me control over my body... over my life really.

Now, there are some tired excuses out there..I know this because I have exhausted every last one of them.

Examples:
I don't have time for all that food...- You make time. All of this food can be made ahead of time.. I boil 18 eggs at a time. I prepare 1lb of lean meat at a time, I cook all the broccoli and asparagus at the same time and put it in a giant container, and just dip into it as necessary. You do the prep work 1 day a week! Then you just throw the meals together! I'm not saying it's as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal or going through the drive through... you have to actually WANT to be healthy. It is going to take SOME effort. Although, there is a growing population of people who believe in eating everything raw, if you want to go that route.. you could save yourself weeks of your life otherwise spent in the kitchen... Not my style.

I would have to cook separate meals for me and my kids-- This is the amazing part about all of this! Your children SHOULD be eating this stuff too! I can share any of the stuff on my plate with L-Dog... and often do. Now, I realize those with older children may have a harder time because they might have already acquired bad eating habits... I don't have the answer to that, and I'm not going to pretend I do. My soap box only stands as tall as my knowledge extends... bark up someone else's tree for that info. I do believe it's never too late, though! I mean, I am 24... that's not old, but habits can change.

I do feel good knowing that while Leo is learning to eat and feed himself, he is simultaneously watching me eat, and learning what a good meal is. He is learning to eat and ENJOY foods that leave him with energy and a sense of well-being instead of making him want to find the nearest sofa and crash into a crusty pile of day-old drool.

I am really just droning on-and-on-and-on-and-on.. and on.. I am getting bored typing this, so I am positive you're bored reading it, if you've even made it this far.

I have a lot to say, I took too long of a break from blogging. So you'll pay for my neglect through the next several posts..

Like so many dramatic episodes of Full House that came before it...We will just leave this one TO BE CONTINUED...

Floor is open for discussion.