Sweating through my shirt and busting my pants.

Good morning! I have committed myself to being positive but this week clearly accepted that challenge and is trying everything it can to put kinks in my plan. Yesterday, I rocked the gym. I consider it a successful day at the gym when I sweat through my shirt. It's like I'm super hardcore or a real athlete or something. I guess it not only proves to me, but to the whole world, that I worked hard at the gym.

I was already sore from my workout with the trainer on Monday. She killed me everywhere, but my legs were especially sore from the squats and lunges, so I was walking with a little waddle. Those of you that have been sore after a workout know this specific gait. I was trying to be cool and walk normally, but if I did that, I ended up looking like I had a limp and misplaced my cane. It couldn't be helped.

So, I waddle/limped into the gym for day 2 of my week. I started with my high-incline treadmill warm up (warm-up? I'm not sure..hyphens get me every time). I then did dumbbell presses on the incline bench and push-ups. Next on my list was the flies machine. I had to increase the weight from my last workout on that machine! Woop de woop! But then, something happened...

... my left shoulder went numb. At first it felt like I was just working really hard, but when I stopped the exercise, it didn't go away. So, after about 10 minutes of stretching, I left the gym. I was scared to work it further! I spent the night stretching it in various ways, like rotating it around like a softball pitcher. I guess I am a real athlete. Whatever, it was a successful workout; I sweat through my shirt! Like a boss.

This morning, I got up and did an ab workout. Six ab exercises, 3 sets of 12. You know when you exercise, your mind can get very clear and you have these "aha moments" that make complete sense? This morning, I realized something about myself. I suck at mornings. I have such a hard time getting going and I have so much to do in the morning! Workout, shower, scramble to find something to wear, make breakfast, eat breakfast, pack my bag for the gym, and try to remember to grab something to take with me to work to work on for the wedding. (T minus 38 days)

While getting dressed this morning, I slipped on a pair of black cropped pants that I love. They are cute and super handy when rain is expected (which it is today). In my morning scramble to get everything together, the clasp on the pants popped. You guys, this is the most disheartening feeling, especially when I've been working as hard as I have. Sorry to say, this isn't the first time it's happened, but it doesn't get easier. To be fair, the pants are kind of old and were inexpensive to begin with, but still. This is why elastic is the invention of a genius. I wonder if the person who invented it won a Nobel Peace Prize. If not, he should... elastic is a universal peace creater.
Today is Wednesday and you know what that means in my gym world-- cardio! Get ready, machines... I will own you.

Big fat failure

Yesterday was my weekly session with the trainer and she. kicked. my. butt. In a good way. I arrived at the gym a smidge later than normal so I felt rushed and not fully mentally prepared to handle the challenges in front of me. As usual, I went to my trainer's office and discussed nutrition, my water intake, etc. I've been chugging water, watching portions, eating healthy snacks, being mindful of sodium and bumping up the ol' cardio routine.

After some nutrition chit chat, the fateful weigh-in was upon me. My goal was 2 pounds down from last week and I made it! AND my BMI was down one percent from last week. I'm SO happy I'm finally getting some consistent loss coming before the wedding. I felt like I was in a rut for the longest time and I'm finally on my way!

The workout was hard. It was a combo of cardio, abs, legs and arms. So basically, everything. I'm feeling it today!

In my non-workout world, I had lunch with my fiance yesterday. This is off my routine as I usually have my Shakeology shake for lunch. But I can go with the flow, so I decided to have lunch with the fella and have my shake for dinner instead. I came away from lunch with a page-long list of things to do for the wedding. It is stressful, this wedding planning. The rest of the day was spent trying to cross a few of the items off the list.

After my workout, I went to watch Randy's softball game. He's on our church's team. It was gorgeous weather and I got to chat with my new buddy, Jaycie. However when the second game was over, it was 9:30! I went home, tired, but couldn't sleep. Of course. So I caught up on some hulu-ing before bed.

When my alarm went off at 4:30am, my whole body was relaxed. I couldn't get up. In the moment, I just needed to sleep more. So, I didn't get in my p90x this morning. But you guys, now I feel like a big fat failure. Why can't I get up in the morning?! I'm always SO tired. Meanwhile, I get home and I'm so tired that I don't have energy to get anything done at home, so it looks like a bomb went off in my house.

While I feel great about my weight loss and my gym success, all other aspects of life are worn a little thin right now.

Weekend challenge conquered!

After Saturday's workout

Hello, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It finally stopped snowing here, the sun is out and it many finally be spring here in good ol' Ioway.*fingers crossed!*

I had an absolutely exhausting weekend, but it was a good kind of exhausting. If you read Friday's entry, you know that I got to hang out with my nine year old nephew for some one-on-one time before I get married. Here's a run down of what we did:

Friday night- played a few board games. I lost every time. He was a good sport about it though... shook my heand and said, "good game" after I lost. haha.

Saturday- Took Levi to the gym (yep!) with me. He played in the kid's gym while I got a solid cardio/arms/abs workout in. We then had lunch (I drank my Shakeology shake) at a local pizza place. Next we went to the Science Center where we explored for about 3 hours. It was so fun! Then, Levi wanted ice cream, so I took him to Coldstone Creamery where he got what every nine year old would get, cotton candy ice cream with Snickers and gummy bears. I didn't get anything! To be clear, I didn't even want anything. I love ice cream, but the consequence wasn't worth the indulgence. Then we went home where we had dinner (lasagna) and had a game night. Pretty solid, guilt-free weekend!

Positive potty post-it

 

Sunday was a rest day. We went to church and my mom and I road-tripped to take Levi back home. I did a little laundry, but mostly I recuperated after being totally worn out by a child. I still ate well and had my Shakeology. While at church, I went into the bathroom to stock up on toilet paper for the service (for some reason I sneeze constantly in church and I always forget actual tissues). In the stall, I noticed this post-it stuck on the wall. What a great way to start my week! This is a great reminder of a couple things.

1. Positivity will always makes people smile, especially when it's unexpected.

2. You can find motivation where you least expect it. In my case, it was the church bathroom!

Today I woke up to p90x yoga (the start of week 4!) and I have my session with my trainer tonight. If you'll remember from last week, my goal is to leave the gym every night this week a sweaty mess. I can't slack off!

Today is also the start of my Beach Body challenge group. I am on Team Bombshell, which is fitting because, who doesn't want to be a total bombshell? This is just adding a new challenge to my already challenging diet and exercise routine, but it also adds more accountability. Forty days until the wedding and I will be the best version of myself I can be when I walk down the aisle. <3

Here's what I need motivation for this week, if you feel so inclined to comment and leave a litlte positivity!

1. Knocking out 2 workouts a day, finishing each day feeling exhausted, but stronger.
2. Crossing a few small things off my wedding to-do list.
3. Packing up my things to move into the new apartment. So often when I go home, I just want to veg. I need to pack some boxes this week!

Snow = sleeping in > working out

Dead as a door nail.
 

Happy Friday, everyone. I am finishing my week feeling like a slug. Yesterday, it began snowing and it hasn't stopped since. I blame the weather. Remember the picture I posted  of the tulip I posted in yesterday's post? Here's that same tulip today..

The intention this morning was to finish off my week as strong as it began, but no dice. I didn't sleep well because I have yet another cold due to this weather. So, I sorta abused the snooze button this morning. I didn't get out of bed until 6:30 am which is stupid late since I'm usually up at 4:30 or so.

Another way I'm in a funk is with my clothes. I'm currently wearing skinny jeans, a gray sweatshirt and brown boots. Gray and brown. That's happening. Nothing really fits in my closet. It's either too big or a smidge small. It's frustrating in the way growing out bangs is frustrating. I know you can sympathize. This is why I've spent free time for the last 2 years in something with a stretchy waistband. I'm that girl.

This weekend, I plan to get on track. However, this weekend will produce a new challenge for me.

For those of you that don't know, I have 5 nephews and 2 nieces. Life as an aunt is totally awesome and I've been one for almost 10 years! Three of my nephews live a couple of hours from me (the other 4 kiddos live in California and North Carolina) and I would like to spend time with each of them before I get hitched. This weekend, I get to hang out with Levi, the oldest, who is nine. Before I get married and one day start my own family, I want to spend time with some of the coolest kids I know, one on one.

This presents a challenge in my workout and eating world. I'll want to sleep in, eat junk food and pretend I'm nine years old. After all, this IS perfect indoor fort-building weather. Stay tuned for Monday's update...

Until then, I could use some motivation. I am 43 days out from the wedding and I've got a lot on my to do list and I'm losing steam and energy, truth be told, for this working out twice a day business. Help!!


The awesome kiddos in my life!

 

 

 

Winter with spring veggies and other laments

Tulip outside my back door this morning.

Hi friends! It's Thursday, May 2 and it's snowing here. Welcome to the great state of Iowa.

<<I am only annoyed with the weather... earlier this week it was 76 degrees. I really do love being an Iowa girl.>>

<<Also do not tell me smugly how fantastic the weather is where you are. So help me, I will hunt you down. Just enjoy your good fortune and shut up about it.>>

Last night was cardio day at the gym, which I rocked. One hour of cardio, y'all! 3 months ago that would have never happened. It's like I should have some with a side effects warning: "May cause vomiting or even death."

So anyway, I spent a lot of the time on the eliptical last night because of these two women that took the whole hour going the slowest pace on the treadmills. I mean, it was frustrating, but I complained about it last night to my fiance, so I'm not going to get into my annoyance now. (Thanks for listening, Randy!) I like the eliptical for lots of reasons, even though my trainer calls it "lazy cardio."

1. I move my arms and legs. buh-bye lunch lady arms!
2. Larger calorie burn at a quicker pace.
3. Easier on my joints, and my knees have given me some trouble in past years (thanks a lot, high school track.)

So, I booked it on the eliptical! To compensate for the absence of my high incline treadmill warm-up, I kept increasing my resistance, beginning at level 5. I think I got up to 10, which is an amzing butt and upper thigh workout.

The Food Network wasn't on, so I brought my kindle with me. I'm currently trying to get through a book list of "Books every woman should read in her mid-20s." I'm 27, so "mid-20s" is a loose term, but so far, I'm enjoying the books I've read. Check out the list. I've read Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson and I'm currently reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling. This book is absolutely hilarious and I'm pretty sure Mindy Kaling and I would be best friends in another life. I actually laughed out loud, more like a guffaw, in the gym. Take that, treadmill hogger girls. Read this book; it's awesome.

My wonderful fiance accompanied me to the gym last night. We consider that time together, which it kind of is, because we're both exercising at the same time, but I'm not one of those people that spots her boyfriend on the weights or runs on the treadmill next to his. Absolutely not. We go, tell each other to have a good workout and reconvene in 60 minutes. When I met up with Randy, he was drenched in sweat. He told me he ran 12 laps on the track (which is a mile on our gym's track) and every 2 laps, he stopped and did 30 push ups. He also did ab exercises and weights. When I saw him, he was killing himself on the stair master.

You guys, I felt like I had a great workout, and I have also instructed you not to compare yourself to others, especially men because they are way different than females. But after Randy told me everything he did, I felt bad. Like, I could have done more. So, the goal next week is to leave the gym completely exhausted every night. It WILL happen, and that will make for some excellent writing I'm sure. Stay tuned.

Last night, Randy and I decided to make something from yesterday's second blog entry. We both are asparagus fans, so we did our own version of the Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette. The difference was, we didn't make the galette crust. We found this pre-packaged artisan flatbread (probably Pepperidge Farms. Those people have a handle on deliciousness). We each made our own. On mine, I put chicken that Randy grilled with garlic and cayenne pepper, asparagus that I steamed a little before baking it, tomatoes, the goat cheese mixture, basil and garlic. Randy topped his with the goat cheese mixture, green olives, chicken and asparagus. We popped it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. The artisan bread was the perfect amount of crispy! Everything was delicious! I highly recommend.

As I said it's snowing here, which always trips a little switch in my head that says, "just put on sweatpants and watch movies on the couch!" With the wedding being 44 days away, I can't do that. I am plugging away on my two-a-day workouts, and suffering from a little soreness each day. It will be worth it though!

How to be a veggie lover

I have no problem eating veggies. I love them and I always have. However, when my trainer told me I need more and to have them in every meal, I started to wonder if I would get sick of them and how I could incorporate them into every meal.

It should be said that if you conver your veggies in cheese or butter or boil them to the point where they are soggy, you are losing most of the nutrients in vegetables. Vegetables should maintain a little crunchiness.

So friends, I bring you an array of ways I add veggies to meals. You'll get ideas from what I write, form your own meal ideas and pretty soon, you'll be helping others fill their lives with veggies. Don't worry, you can thank me later.

Breakfast.
    Almost every morning, I eat this 3 egg whites, 1 egg with yolk, chopped spinach, tomato, baby bella mushrooms and green pepper. I sautee the veggies and 'shrooms first with pepper (NO SALT) and garlic powder. Then I add the eggs and scramble it up! On the weekends, sometimes I'll eat it on whole grain toast or add cheese to it. What can I say, I live on the edge.

If you hate some of the veggies I listed above, that's ok..put in your own! Remember, color is key! The more your food resembles a rainbow, the better. Put jalapenos, other peppers, onion, even broccoli in your eggs! I promise you'll look forward to it.

Lunch.
   As of late, I've been enjoying Shakeology shakes as my lunch. I love these and they really fill me up. However, let's go back to the days before that and remember my choices.

I love sandwiches. They are delicious and represent all things wonderful about food. Carb, cheese, meat, vegetables. Delish. However, stay away from red meat (I mostly do turkey. Chicken's a good choice too.), subtract the cheese and add more vegetables. Tomato, avocado, spinach, and cucumber are all solid choices. Don't be shy...keep adding veggies! Put it all on a whole grain bread (or even  just one piece to reduce carbs). Add some celery or carrots on the side instead of chips (they fulfill the crunch factor) with some Greek yogurt veggie dip and co crazy. SO good... I promise you'll be full.

Dinner.


Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette

   There are so many things I love about eating any meal, but dinner is probably my favorite. You have so many options! Some of these I've tried, others are "wait til I get married and use my husband as a guinea pig" recipes, but all have high veg factors.

1. Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette. To replace pizza. Excuse me, but there's nothing about the TITLE I don't love, so I'm sure I'll love this when I try it. I mean, just LOOK at it. And, if you've never given goat cheese a try, this may be ambitious for your first experience. Sample it at a farmer's market or something.. it's amazing. Tomatoes on this would rock



SW Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Zucchini Noodles

2. Southwestern Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. (say THAT three times fast!) To replace tacos. Click on the title or the caption for all of these to get the recipe, but this just looks incredible. I love me some black beans. I woul even go as far as to add avocado and tomato to this recipe. Bam.

3. Zucchini Noodles. To replace pasta. I love zucchini. To make noodles out of them blows my mind. Then you can add regular spaghetti stuff to the top (the meat I'd use would be ground turkey). And voila!

Enjoy friends... spend some time in your grocer's produce aisle and get creative!

"Show me a man with both feet on the ground and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants on." -Joe Lewis

Happy Wednesday! I don't know about you, but this week is flying by for me. We are 46 days out from the wedding and I think I'm at the point where time will start flying by. I have a thousand things to do! Do you ever feel like work gets in the way of what you actually need to do? But you need work to pay for the things you need to get done? Ahh, the catch 22 of being an adult.

Anyway, Wednesday is often referred to as "hump day." We are getting over the middle hump of the week! I generally think it's kind of a stupid phrase, as most people just use it to be crass, but today, I am totally celebrating this term.

Last week, in this blog entry, I told you about a pair of pants that aren't my favorite but that I took a potential confidence-busting risk to try on and they fit. Well friends, the pants fairy has struck my closet again because it happened again! If you haven't caught it yet, I'm happy the pants fit over the "hump" of my hips on hump day! See what I did there?

Like the blue-gray pair last week, these pants aren't my favorite. They are brown I've had them forever... since back when brown was trendy <<cough, 2008, cough>>. But again, I don't have a lot of diversity in my pants and I *really* don't want to invest money on new clothes if I'm not at my weight goal yet. So, I'll settle for the nostalgia of 5 years ago when I had a disposable income to buy tons of clothes.

I kind of dig the quote I used for the title. I mean, I get the actual meaning of it, but I like my version of it a little better... if you don't move, you won't be able to fit into your pants! My cousin's wife posted a great meme on facebook the other day....I've posted it here today. It's so true! You have to watch what you eat in order to lose weight, but to get fit you have to get to the gym and MOVE. There's really no way around this. There is no get thin quick scheme that will actually work. On Pinterest, I've seen this hot photo of a girl's stomach that is totally ripped and "her" morning workout that got her there. It's a circuit combo of burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc. Friends... no. That won't work! I mean, certainly do that, but don't expect a stomach you can eat off of. It's a combination of what you eat and what you do. Doing ten minutes of work every morning won't get you there.

Today is cardio day at the gym... as you all know it's my favorite (not). But last week, I totally rocked cardio day and I plan to do the same this week, if not better. And, if I can't watch Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on The Food Network, I will be listening to music. What music, you ask? My Humps, of course!

Make it a great day!