I caught the cold flu that has been going around! I somehow avoided it a couple of weeks ago, but it hit me like a ton of bricks, even though I'm eating well and exercising like crazy. I'm sick and tired and achey and runny, and it stopped my in my tracks. I wasn't mentally prepared to take a break from my training plan.
I was just beginning this high-rep regimen that had me burning by the end of the first set. I was quite amazed that I made it through all sets and all reps (sometimes 100 of some sort of leg press), and I was darn proud of myself. A few people came up to me and asked me why I was doing so many reps, and I said I had no idea. My coach just told me what to do, and I'm doing it.
On a related note, I'm still not even close to being certified as a trainer. I'm frustrated that the studying has been on hold because of my focus on other things. I think it would help me to push even harder (if that's possible) because I'd know why and how the certain weekly plan is supposed to work.
I feel like I need to have some motivation to get me certified. Let's hope something comes along soon, or it may not happen until I'm done with my competition. I know this fitness lifestyle is a life-long process, but I'm not usually the kind of person who procrastinates.... Maybe it's because I have two tiny girls and a household to run while my husband works looong hours. I think I'm just in a bit of a "season", and this season will change with time.
I will go back to my training plan on Sunday with cardio (probably not full-out, but I'm sure it won't just be walking on the treadmill -- why waste my time?). I wish I could have finished out the week. It looked interesting. Next week, I'm back to heavy, lower reps, circuit training again. Then, onto something else. It's so exciting! I can't wait!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
It pays to be nice!
I introduce myself to someone new and commit their name to memory about 2 times a day now. I do this mainly at my gym (Crunch Burbank is my main gym now). It's a way to know I'm being held accountable -- the more people who know me there, at least by face, and the more names I know, the more I feel like I'm being kept on track. I'm sure few people care how much muscle I'm building each week, but they know I'm consistent and I'm friendly and a hard worker.
One lady, who has had years of exercise/fitness experience, gave me some tips on where to buy supplements. I saved a bundle of money by following her advice, and I got good quality stuff. So, it pays to be nice, literally and figuratively.
So far, I'd say I have never walked into the gym without knowing at least 15 people's names within the specific area I'm training. I think that's pretty amazing, considering the stigma that some gyms have. These are all real people underneath their muscles or flab. I'm the real me, and I want everyone to know exactly who's sweating next to them.
One lady, who has had years of exercise/fitness experience, gave me some tips on where to buy supplements. I saved a bundle of money by following her advice, and I got good quality stuff. So, it pays to be nice, literally and figuratively.
So far, I'd say I have never walked into the gym without knowing at least 15 people's names within the specific area I'm training. I think that's pretty amazing, considering the stigma that some gyms have. These are all real people underneath their muscles or flab. I'm the real me, and I want everyone to know exactly who's sweating next to them.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
All I do is EAT!
I feel like all I do is eat, prepare my food, shop for my food or organize my supplements and refrigerator. I'm always thinking about this strict diet of mine. Thank God my children like most of the stuff I am eating, or else I'm afraid they'd get fast food every day.
Here's a list of the foods my little ones like. It's actually quite unusual for 3 & 1 year olds to like some of these items, but I feel very blessed and am thankful they do (mostly for the sake of their health, but also for the added convenience for me not to have to find too many additional foods for them):
Turkey in any form or fashion, even without salt or many seasonings
Oatmeal sweetened with Splenda
Almond milk
Berries and apples
Tuna and salmon
Brown rice
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Asparagus
Cottage cheese
For dinner tonight, I made us all salmon, asparagus, brown rice and zucchini. My husband's salmon had a dash of salt for flavor, and he had a salad instead of the other greens. Other than slight variations for certain people at certain meals, I've been very fortunate, so far, to not have to play short order cook.
Here's a list of the foods my little ones like. It's actually quite unusual for 3 & 1 year olds to like some of these items, but I feel very blessed and am thankful they do (mostly for the sake of their health, but also for the added convenience for me not to have to find too many additional foods for them):
Turkey in any form or fashion, even without salt or many seasonings
Oatmeal sweetened with Splenda
Almond milk
Berries and apples
Tuna and salmon
Brown rice
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Asparagus
Cottage cheese
For dinner tonight, I made us all salmon, asparagus, brown rice and zucchini. My husband's salmon had a dash of salt for flavor, and he had a salad instead of the other greens. Other than slight variations for certain people at certain meals, I've been very fortunate, so far, to not have to play short order cook.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Goodies Galore -- now, no more!
Well, Christmas is over, and so is my perfect diet record. I could NOT resist all the goodies this time. I didn't even try. I gave myself a little latitude, for better or for worse:
On Christmas eve, my Italian side of the family gathers for a fish meal: pasta with tomato and squid sauce, fried fish and vegetables, and plenty of desserts. It's a dieter's nightmare. Most of my family is dieting, but we all gave it up for that evening and the next. I watched as many of us tamed our appetites and still had a nice time. There was a lot left over, but the non-dieters took it home. I took a small plate for my husband after work, but he chose to be good and not imbibe. Christmas day was another story full of rich foods and desserts, as well as wine and egg nog.
Today, I'm back at it. I gave my girls a cookie after lunch, and all other goodies around the house either went in the trash or got re-gifted to someone in my building. I just can't keep it around, or else I'll snack on that stuff and justify it somehow. Nope, no more dessert for me for a long while. I want to present myself the best I can in 16 weeks (synonymous with: I don't want to look like a fool with little else on than my spray tan at the competition).
I am back on my two-a-day workout schedule and clean diet. It was rough this morning, and it will be even harder this afternoon because I'm about to do laundry and housework and not get a rest before heading back to the gym. At least the children are napping (wish me luck they stay asleep for the whole 2 hours like they're supposed to). I'm glad I have my pals at Crunch and my coach to keep encouraging me to stay on top of it. This is not a game to me -- it's my job for the next 4 months.
Why am I taking this so seriously, especially since it's by choice? Everything in life is a choice. I just chose this, and I'm going to work as hard as I can at it, like I do everything else.
On Christmas eve, my Italian side of the family gathers for a fish meal: pasta with tomato and squid sauce, fried fish and vegetables, and plenty of desserts. It's a dieter's nightmare. Most of my family is dieting, but we all gave it up for that evening and the next. I watched as many of us tamed our appetites and still had a nice time. There was a lot left over, but the non-dieters took it home. I took a small plate for my husband after work, but he chose to be good and not imbibe. Christmas day was another story full of rich foods and desserts, as well as wine and egg nog.
Today, I'm back at it. I gave my girls a cookie after lunch, and all other goodies around the house either went in the trash or got re-gifted to someone in my building. I just can't keep it around, or else I'll snack on that stuff and justify it somehow. Nope, no more dessert for me for a long while. I want to present myself the best I can in 16 weeks (synonymous with: I don't want to look like a fool with little else on than my spray tan at the competition).
I am back on my two-a-day workout schedule and clean diet. It was rough this morning, and it will be even harder this afternoon because I'm about to do laundry and housework and not get a rest before heading back to the gym. At least the children are napping (wish me luck they stay asleep for the whole 2 hours like they're supposed to). I'm glad I have my pals at Crunch and my coach to keep encouraging me to stay on top of it. This is not a game to me -- it's my job for the next 4 months.
Why am I taking this so seriously, especially since it's by choice? Everything in life is a choice. I just chose this, and I'm going to work as hard as I can at it, like I do everything else.
Friday, December 21, 2012
A Day in the Life
An "easy" day:
7:00 - Wake up, have coffee, check email and texts, write in my journal.
7:30 - Girls wake up, give them milk, turn on cartoons, wash dishes from night before and pack my gym bag and meal 2 and snacks for the girls. Snuggle with the girls for a few minutes while watching "Word World".
8:00 - Realize that I only have 1/2 hour before "Bootcamp Boxing", get girls dressed, teeth brushed, put on my workout clothes and shoes, dab on some makeup, shove food down their throats and finish my own (huge) breakfast, get girls' shoes on and load them in the car.
8:30 - Rush into the gym, walk the girls into childcare, throw my stuff into a locker and begin my class. (Even though it's a major pain to get there on time, I can't give up this class because I have friends, supporters and a great workout waiting for me to start my day).
9:30 - Change my shirt because it's drenched, gather the girls and my stuff, walk back to the car and head over to my other gym, Crunch, to do lifting. I give the girls a snack to eat in the car.
10:00 - After placing kids in child care, chit-chatting with the gals and front desk staff and clearing my head, I begin my lifting protocol.
10:30 - Take a short break for meal 2 and check on the girls.
11:45 - Hop into shower if I'm done lifting. If not, no shower until nighttime.
12:15 - Gather girls and head to the mall for a quick visit and snack with some of their little friends.
1:00 - Head home for lunch. I feverishly make the girls their food and begin making my meal 3. We eat together and then play a little bit.
2:00 - Naptime for the girls. If I'm lucky and they're good and tired, they will nap for 2 hours.
2:30 - Babysitter comes over and I hop over to the store.
3:30 - Put away groceries, cook meal 4 and 5 and begin dinner for the girls and hubby.
4:00 - Girls wake up, and I get them water and direct them toward educational activities on the computer, art materials or imaginary play with toys or puppets.
4:30 - Eat my meal 4 then get on some household chores.
5:15 - Begin dinner with the girls and try to do some more chores while making sure they're eating quickly so that we can get to the gym again before too late.
6:00 - Get the girls dressed for the gym, get myself into new workout clothes and pack my gym bag. if my husband is home, he either comes with us, meets us there later or stays for dinner and quiet time.
6:20 - Arrive at Crunch, repeat ritual as above, except doing cardio this time.
8:00 - Gather girls, head home, begin bath and bed ritual. Try to catch a few kisses and hugs with my husband.
8:30 - Girls are in bed, I eat meal 6 and try to sit down for a few minutes.
9:00 - Finish some household chores, check email again, read bible, shower.
10:30 - Hop into bed, usually after husband has gone to bed. Fall asleep to t.v. by around 11.
It's 10:30 now, time for bed! Another day begins tomorrow. It will be much like the one described above, but there will be some new wrinkle or change that will challenge my organization skills and patience. Yet, I think I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna give it my all, anyway.
7:00 - Wake up, have coffee, check email and texts, write in my journal.
7:30 - Girls wake up, give them milk, turn on cartoons, wash dishes from night before and pack my gym bag and meal 2 and snacks for the girls. Snuggle with the girls for a few minutes while watching "Word World".
8:00 - Realize that I only have 1/2 hour before "Bootcamp Boxing", get girls dressed, teeth brushed, put on my workout clothes and shoes, dab on some makeup, shove food down their throats and finish my own (huge) breakfast, get girls' shoes on and load them in the car.
8:30 - Rush into the gym, walk the girls into childcare, throw my stuff into a locker and begin my class. (Even though it's a major pain to get there on time, I can't give up this class because I have friends, supporters and a great workout waiting for me to start my day).
9:30 - Change my shirt because it's drenched, gather the girls and my stuff, walk back to the car and head over to my other gym, Crunch, to do lifting. I give the girls a snack to eat in the car.
10:00 - After placing kids in child care, chit-chatting with the gals and front desk staff and clearing my head, I begin my lifting protocol.
10:30 - Take a short break for meal 2 and check on the girls.
11:45 - Hop into shower if I'm done lifting. If not, no shower until nighttime.
12:15 - Gather girls and head to the mall for a quick visit and snack with some of their little friends.
1:00 - Head home for lunch. I feverishly make the girls their food and begin making my meal 3. We eat together and then play a little bit.
2:00 - Naptime for the girls. If I'm lucky and they're good and tired, they will nap for 2 hours.
2:30 - Babysitter comes over and I hop over to the store.
3:30 - Put away groceries, cook meal 4 and 5 and begin dinner for the girls and hubby.
4:00 - Girls wake up, and I get them water and direct them toward educational activities on the computer, art materials or imaginary play with toys or puppets.
4:30 - Eat my meal 4 then get on some household chores.
5:15 - Begin dinner with the girls and try to do some more chores while making sure they're eating quickly so that we can get to the gym again before too late.
6:00 - Get the girls dressed for the gym, get myself into new workout clothes and pack my gym bag. if my husband is home, he either comes with us, meets us there later or stays for dinner and quiet time.
6:20 - Arrive at Crunch, repeat ritual as above, except doing cardio this time.
8:00 - Gather girls, head home, begin bath and bed ritual. Try to catch a few kisses and hugs with my husband.
8:30 - Girls are in bed, I eat meal 6 and try to sit down for a few minutes.
9:00 - Finish some household chores, check email again, read bible, shower.
10:30 - Hop into bed, usually after husband has gone to bed. Fall asleep to t.v. by around 11.
It's 10:30 now, time for bed! Another day begins tomorrow. It will be much like the one described above, but there will be some new wrinkle or change that will challenge my organization skills and patience. Yet, I think I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna give it my all, anyway.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Laying it all out there
Wow! I just started training. I thought I would begin in January, but my coach wanted to get started sooner to give me an even better chance to do really well. I appreciate that, but man-oh-man is it rough during this season: I have only a few Christmas gifts wrapped, I still have a lot of little gifts to get for friends and childcare workers, there are parties galore with goodies to ignore, and my little ones are too excited these days to take their much-needed naps (I need them to nap as much as they need it for their development).
I'm eating 6 meals a day. Yes, meals. These aren't snacks. They are roughly 400 calories or more of protein, fiber, some carbs, and not a whole lot more. They are fresh and generally tasty, but I'm spending a lot of time preparing and shopping for them. I think it will be easier to follow, once I get the hang of it and prepare more than one portion at a time.
Also, the lifting is harder than I've done before. I just learned that it is "hypertrophic", which means a lot of reps and supersets at pretty high weight. Oh boy do my muscles burn! Then, there's the cardio. I don't think I've sweat this much since my first boxing bootcamp class. I'm not complaining. I actually think it will be awesome. It's just new, and it's quite a challenge.
Many thanks to all of my friends and cheerleaders at my gyms. I can't do it without you!
I'm eating 6 meals a day. Yes, meals. These aren't snacks. They are roughly 400 calories or more of protein, fiber, some carbs, and not a whole lot more. They are fresh and generally tasty, but I'm spending a lot of time preparing and shopping for them. I think it will be easier to follow, once I get the hang of it and prepare more than one portion at a time.
Also, the lifting is harder than I've done before. I just learned that it is "hypertrophic", which means a lot of reps and supersets at pretty high weight. Oh boy do my muscles burn! Then, there's the cardio. I don't think I've sweat this much since my first boxing bootcamp class. I'm not complaining. I actually think it will be awesome. It's just new, and it's quite a challenge.
Many thanks to all of my friends and cheerleaders at my gyms. I can't do it without you!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's not vanity
Recently, someone very close to me accused me of becoming vain and changing as a person because I have increased my fitness goals. I just wanted to make it clear to anyone who is reading this blog that it's not vanity that compels me keep on pushing myself to new heights in this field... and others who are very close to me disagree with my accuser.
I hope you've heard my heart over these past several months, and I hope you have understood my path: it started as a necessity to lose weight, became a hobby, then became a new passion and career. I'm sharing what I'm learning with everyone who wants or needs to learn more about fitness, and their lives are changing, as is mine.
Just because I want to earn a trophy for my hard work doesn't make me obsessed.
Yes, I think about my upcoming competition all the time. That doesn't make me obsessed. It makes me competitive and excited. Now that I've made my decision, I'm sure I'll move toward a more healthy routine and thought process.
In the meantime, before things settle down, I just want to make it clear that my motivation is not vanity. It's so much more.
I hope you've heard my heart over these past several months, and I hope you have understood my path: it started as a necessity to lose weight, became a hobby, then became a new passion and career. I'm sharing what I'm learning with everyone who wants or needs to learn more about fitness, and their lives are changing, as is mine.
Just because I want to earn a trophy for my hard work doesn't make me obsessed.
Yes, I think about my upcoming competition all the time. That doesn't make me obsessed. It makes me competitive and excited. Now that I've made my decision, I'm sure I'll move toward a more healthy routine and thought process.
In the meantime, before things settle down, I just want to make it clear that my motivation is not vanity. It's so much more.
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