The GUILT!!!

News Flash! I decided to crank up the intensity of my first few weeks. I'm sure that's shocking information to everyone that knows me. Instead of walking, which may have been a more appropriate beginning, I chose to start running, taking hot yoga classes and joining a CrossFit gym. That's pretty close to the same thing, right?

Step 1 in my aggressive plan: find a buddy to do this with. That was pretty hard to come by, so I found three! One for each activity, because no one seemed to want to do all three. The buddy system is glorious. Someone to hold you accountable and make sure you get your butt out of bed. My husband works during the day and some nights. I don't have a babysitter for the girls, and I do have to work sometime kicking other people's butts. Because of that, I had to make time for myself to do these workouts before the sun comes up. 

The first week wasn't so bad. Had some fun chatting it up with the ladies. Enjoyed my girl time even though it didn't include adult beverages. I have more energy than I know what to do with. Maybe that's why I decided to bump up my fitness regimen in addition to doing 4-6 loads of laundry a day, AND I am averaging at least 2 pinterest projects a week. What's great is that it is all natural energy. Steady throughout the entire day and not at all like the jittery feeling I got from drinking energy drinks.

Weeks Two and Three were a bit slower. I won't lie, if I didn't have my partner expecting me, I may not have gone. However, that feeling of accomplishment after each work out was worth it. Emotionally, that's all the motivation I needed. I can already see the definition in my arms and the running isn't quite so horrendous anymore.

This is my response to: "Hey Babe, are you
going to go work out today?"

Then Week Four happens. Whether it was a touch of food poisoning or just flat out over-training, (probably both) my body has had it. I slept about 40 of 48 hours. I ate a ridiculous amount of carbs on my "indulge day" and my body rejected it. By rejected it, I mean EJECTED it. At 5:00 am the following morning, they came out the same way they went in. Talk about your body craving the good stuff. I don't want to do that again! Maybe in combination of all the working out and eating so well, I had the ultimate sugar crash. A full two days of my body trying to regulate itself. I was somewhat back to normal by Tuesday.

Which brings us to today. I was supposed to go to CrossFit this morning. I don't even remember my 5:03 am alarm going off. I don't remember my 5:12 alarm going off either. I like to set two alarms at odd times. Keeps me from hitting the snooze too much. I love CrossFit although it was intimidating at first. It's especially intimidating when your partner had to drop out because of the races she has coming up. Eek. However, I did survive last week alone and it didn't kill me. I'm not sure if my buddy pounding on my front door this morning would've helped or not. Maybe. Probably. It would've been a sorry workout, but a sorry workout is better than no workout at all!

Well, even trainers have an off day. If I would've gotten my butt out of bed to start my workout, I don't think we'd be having this conversation. I guess I'll go for a short run and try not to destroy my eating plan for today. Which happens to be:

"Power Sandwich"
Lunch with Mike: Smoked Turkey and Hummus (I splurged with Pita. Crap. Probably would've had cucumbers if I could've dragged my butt out of bed.)

Dinner TBD: It's my anniversary. Let's hope that run jump starts some smart choices. Amazing how quickly those fall to the wayside once the day starts off on the wrong foot. So far, 2 poor choices. Straddling the fence with 5 more.

1-bowl of chips at a Mexican restaurant
3-Miller Lites
1-order of crispy tacos

hmmmmm. Wish me luck! I know what I WANT to do. "It's my anniversary, calories don't count on special occasions!" What would i say to my clients? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

OK FINE! I'll be good. ;-)

Power of a Shopping Cart

Alright folks. I know you've been anxiously awaiting my grocery list so you can get started too. It took me a few weeks to get to the most effective list for myself and my entire family. I still have a body fat percentage goal, as well as a performance goal. I need to eat to fuel all the workouts while still dropping those fat points, but I have a family to feed as well. As for the scale, not worried about it. My jeans fit. I'll get back on that bad boy after a few weeks just to check in.

Eating right and putting the appropriate supplements into my body has made a world of difference. Not only in my mood but also the function of my body. FOOD IS FUEL. Say it. Own it. Live it. I have so much more energy for my workouts, but quick recovery from those workouts is a HUGE bonus.

Oh and check out what else is better after a few short weeks of proper fueling and exercise...

This reading was taken after a very
stressful afternoon. Yay me!

This is the grocery list my family has been using the last 2 weeks:

Produce:
Bananas
Apples
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Cilantro
Avocado
Spinach
Spring Greens
Romaine Lettuce
Tomato
Cucumber
Cherry Tomato
Mushrooms
Asparagus
Broccoli
Green Beans

Meats:
Boneless/Skinless chicken breasts
Salmon
Top Sirloin
Low Sodium Turkey Breast deli slices
Low Sodium Ham deli slices
Turkey Bacon
Tilapia
Shrimp

Dairy-ish:
Milk (2% for the girls and Almond Milk for Mike and I)
Cottage Cheese
Vanilla non-fat Greek Yogurt
Hummus
Eggs
Mozzarella Shredded
Monterey Jack Shredded
Provolone Deli Slices
Mozzarella String Cheese

Aisles:
Oatmeal
Vinaigrette
Wheat Crackers
Brown Rice
Quinoa
Salsa
Almonds (whole and sliced)
Walnuts
Whole Grain Sandwich Rounds
Low Carb Tortillas
Natural Unsalted Peanut Butter
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vanilla Extract
Cinnamon
Camomile Tea

Supplements: (will last me close to a month)
Miller Lite (if it wasn't on the list, you all know I'd be lying)

Cheats, Indulgences, Treats:
Don't buy them! If they're in your house, you'll be more likely to eat them when you shouldn't. If you have to drive somewhere to get them, you're less likely to overindulge and subsequently, feel guilty. Also, if those treats give you diarrhea, headaches or "crashes", definitely don't eat them again! Obviously, your body doesn't want it!


Keep in mind, this is my family's personal list. If you like peppers, add some peppers. If you like cod instead of tilapia, have the cod. When in doubt, if God made it, you can eat it. Unless you're a vegetarian, than there is a whole other protein list for that. Go for low fat, low sodium options. If you have questions, just ask! During the day, I'll be eating to drop my body fat percentage and fuel my workouts. My family may or may not be following the same menu. We'll come together for a nutrient dense family dinner.

MENU:
Because I'm a creature of habit, I alternate the meal plans every other day. Dinners are usually different each night to keep my family happy. I'd be ok with grilled chicken every night.

Today's meal plan (just for me): Drink half my body weight in ounces of WATER
*"Power Sandwich" (I copied Panera's): 1 whole grain sandwich round, 1 deli slice Provolone, 1 egg, 2 ounces deli ham and 2 Accelerate
*Fruit Smoothie
*Omelet: 1 whole egg, 2 egg whites, 1/4 c Monterey Jack Cheese, 2 oz Turkey Bacon

Dinner for the family:
*Grilled chicken marinated in Balsamic Vinaigrette
*Fresh Spinach, Spring Greens, Cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, shredded mozzarella, sliced almonds topped with Balsamic Vinaigrette
*Steamed Broccoli
*Sliced Cucumbers and Hummus


Before bed (just for me):
Camomile Tea


After eating this way for a few weeks, I can say that anything prepackaged or frozen tastes terrible. I might as well lick up a pile of sea salt off of the counter. Fruit has become my new treat rather than ice cream or candy bars. Cake and cookies taste so rich now, I can't even finish them. It's amazing how my taste buds alter to my habits so quickly. I'll admit it, at first, it's a beating. Now, it's a fun and fulfilling way of life.

Up next: CrossFit and HotYoga reviews....